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LETTE 


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Spiritual  Sub*^*8^ 

AND 

Divers    Occasions; 

SENT     TO 

RELATIONS  and  FRIENDS. 


By  One  who  has  tafted  that  the  LORD  is 
Gracious. 


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L  O  N  D  O  N: 
Printed;   and  Sold    by   Jo  h^  Oswald,    at  the 
-Rfl^   and  Crown   in  the   Poultry y    near  the /Wrf/*- 
fion-boufe  ;  and  Ebenezer  Gardner,  at 
Milton's  Head  in  Grace-chur  ch-jlrcei .      17  40. 

f  Price  Bound  One  Shilling  and  Sixpence.] 


THE 

Author's  Epistle 

T  O 

The  Perions  to  whom  the  follow- 
ing Letters  were  wrote. 

My  dear  Friends, 

yjS  many  of  you  have  t  eft  iff  d  your  hind 
-"■  Acceptance  qfthefe  Tokens  of  my  Loir, 
when  they  were  wrote  to  you,  and  that  the 
Lord  was  pleas' d  to  make  them  of  life  to 
your  Souls  ;  fo  1  doubt  not  your  Acceptance 
of  them,  now  they  are  pre  fen ted  to  yoifiu 
Print.  Ejpecial/y  fmce,  together  with  tl-o/e 
which  were  wrote  to  any  One  of  you  in  par- 
ticular, there  are  fever al  more  which  were 
wrote  to  oiler  Friends,  which  are  here  ire- 
fented  to  your  View,  which  otherwife  you 
might  not  have  feen. 

And  as  to  thoje  of  my  Friends,  to  whom  I 
have  wrote  Letters,  which  are  -not  injected 
in  this  little  TracJ  ;  1  hit  re  at  that  they  ; 
not  take  it  as  a  Mark  of  Difre/hecf  th'dt 
their  Letters  were  not  piacd  among  the  reft'. 
For,  of  many  of  the  Letters  which  I  have 
wrote,  I  kept  ?w  Copies  ;  and  thoje  Copies 
which  I  did  preferve,  which  are  Hill  in  my 
Hands,  were  too  many  to  he  injected  in  this 

Book. 


(4) 

Book,  if  it  had  been  twice  as  large  as  it  is : 
So  that  as  to  them,  God  only  knows  whether 
they  71  ever  fee  pnblick  Light. 

Perhaps  fome  may  think ,  that  if  any  of  my 
Letters  were  Printed,  it  woiid  have  been 
more  proper  to  have  had  them  done  after  my 
Deceafe  ,  and  of  this  Mind  I  had  ns'd  to  be 
myfelf  But  as  others  have  thought,  that 
if  they  were  publiflod  now,  they  might  be  of 
prefent  Vfe,  and  have  therefore  defer  d  the 
fame,  unto  which  I  have  confented  -y  I  hope 
none  will  be  offended,  that  they  are  done  while 
1  am  living  \  fence,  for  that  reafon,  I  have 
entirely  concealed  my  Name.  And  I  well 
know,  that  all  that  is  valuable  in  them,  is 
from  the  Lord ;  and  that  all  the  ImperfecJi- 
on  that  is  in  them,  is  mine.  But  if  God 
will  ordain  Strength  to  any  of  his  Children, 
by  the  Li  [pings  of  Jo  weak  a  Babe ;  as  it 
will  be  my  Joy,  fo  He  fhall  have  all  the 
Praife. 

And  therefore,  as  to  thefe  Letters  which 
are  now  extant ,  if  God  hereby  may  be 
glorify' d,  and  his  People  reap  any  Advan- 
tage >  Ifhall  have  my  End  in  their  Publi- 
cation. And  for  this,  I  hit  re  at  you  all, 
that  are  my  Friends,  to  help,  by  your  Prayers, 
your  Friend  that  kves  you  in  the  Bowels  of 
[esus  Christ. 

LET- 


(s) 


LETTERS 

O  N 

Spiritual     Subje£h9     &c. 


LETTER    I. 
To  Mr.  W.  and  E.  C. 

Dear  Brother  and  Sifter \ 

MAY  the  Peace  of  God  that  paffcth 
all  Underftanding>  keep. your  Heart 
and  Mind  thro'  Chrift  Jefus ! 

I  am  exceeding  glad  that  you  are  helpt 
to  bear  your  Lofs  patiently  -y  believing  that 
the  Lord  will  do  you  good  by  it.  Our 
dear  Father,  never  takes  any  good  Thing 
from  us,  but  in  order  to  give  fome thing 
better.  He  has  taken  away  your  Pebbles, 
to  give  you  Pearls  \  Empty'd  you  of 
Riches  in  Shew,  to  fill  you  with  True 
Riches,  and  Never-failing  Subftance.  Blefs 
him  therefore,  for  Taking  as  well  as  Giving. 
His  Love  caft  the  Lot  this  Way ;  Believe 
it,  and  you'll  like  it  well.  A  little  Grace 
is  better  than  much  Gold.  You  will  be 
A  3  great 


(  6  ) 

great  Gainers  by  your  Lofs,  if  the  Lord 
give  you  fubmiffion  to  his  fovereign  Dif- 
poie  under  it,  Acquiefcence  with  his  good 
Pleafure  in  it,  and  a  further  Acquaintance 
with  Himfelf,  as  your  everlafting  ALL  by 
it.  Mr.  Rutherford  calls  the  World, 
1  c  The  Clay-portion  of  Baftards ;  not  the 
"  Inheritance  of  Children. "  'Tisagreat 
Thing  for  a  Saint  that  is  rich  in  this 
World,  to  be  throughly  fenfible  of  its 
Nothingnefs;  and  to  live  befide  his  out- 
ward Enjoyments,  upon  that  Infinite,  In- 
exhauftible  Fullnefs.  he  has  in  God.  The 
Creatures  ftand  as  a  Blind  between  us 
and  Him.  And  God  loves'  his  Children 
fo,  that  he  calls  for  our  Hearts  $  and  ra- 
ther than  want  'em,  he'll  ftrike  the  Crea- 
tures dead,  that  Himfelf,  the  Life  of  all 
our  Joys,  might  be  exceedingly  endear'd 
to  us.  He'll  dry  up  the  Streams  of  Crea- 
ture-comforts, that  our  thirfty  Souls  may 
learn  to  drink  their  Fill  at  the  Fountain- 
Head.  And  fo  great  is  his  Grace,  that  it 
pleafeth  him  well,  to  fee  his  Children 
come  to  his  Bofom  for  all  they  want, 
when  ftarv'dout  of  Creature-Supplies  !  Oh 
what  Fools  are  we  to  catch  at  Shadows, 
and  let  go  the  Subftance,  the  Sum  and 
Quinteflence  of  all  our  Blifs  !  Oh  how 
bappv  mould  we  be,  if  infinite  Sweetnek 

did 


(7) 

did  always  ravifh  our  Souls,  and  unheart 
us  from  all  the  Creatures !  Oh,  the  Cryftal 
Streams,  which  proceed  out  of  the  Throne 
of  God,  and  of  the  Lamb,  how  fweet  are 
they  at  the  Weil-Head  !  What  a  pure 
River  of  Water  of  Life  fhould  we  fwim 
in  if  we  always  liv'd  in  God !  This  will 
be  our  Life  in  Heaven,  to  the  utmoft  Per- 
fection >  and  happy  they,  who  are  afpir- 
ing  after  the  riling  Glory,  and  higheft  De- 
gre  e  of  it  here  on  Earth  ! 

The  Father  of  Mercies,  and  God  of  all 
Comfort,  fill  you  with  all  Joy  and  Peace 
in  Believing ! 

1  am  Yours  in  Chrijl  for  ever,  &c. 


LETTER     II. 
To  Mr.  W.  and  E.  C. 

Dear  Brother  and  Sifter ', 

AS  to  my  Health,  BlefTedbe  God,  I 
am  not  worfe  than  I  was  when 
Brother  was  here.  I  dwell  in  a  crafy  Taber- 
nacle, which  I  think,  fometimes,  is  near 
its  DhTolution.  But  I  rejoice  in  that 
Houfe,  that  Building  of  God,  Eternal  in  the 
Heavens,  which  I  know,  thro'  Grace,  is 
prepar'd  for  me.  I  in  this  Tabernacle 
A  4  groiln3 


(8) 

groan,  being  burdened,  by  reafon  of  that  Sin- 
fulnefs,  and  Weaknefs  which  attends,  and 
renders  me  incapable  either  to  know  or 
ferve  the  Lord  as  I  would,  and  as  perfect 
Spirits  do  :  and  this  makes  me  long  for  the 
Time  when  Mortality  Jhall  befwallowed  up 
of  Life,     We  have  no  reafon  to  be  afraid 
of  a  feparate    State  ;    for   Blejfed  are  the 
Dead  which  die  in  the  Lord,    Rev.  xiv.  1 3 . 
Nor  yet  fhould  the  Saints  be  afraid  to  die  ; 
as  if  they  fhould  be  forfaken,  and  left  to 
go  thro'    the  kit  Trial  alone.      No,    our 
God  will  be  with  us  when  we  come  to  the 
River   Death  5  he   will  divide  the  Water 
before  us,and  fo  marvellouily  appear  in  car- 
rying us  thro'  it,that  we  fhall  take  thence  a 
Memorial  of  his  Infinite  Grace  and  Faith- 
ful nefs  -,  as  the  Children  of  Ijrael  did  when 
they  paffed  thro'  the  literal  Jordan,  Jofru 
iv.  7.      We  mould    come  up   from    the 
Wildernefs,    even  to  the   laft  Step  of  ir, 
leaning  upon    our     Beloved  ;    who    hath 
faid,    I  will  never  leave  thee,   nor  for  fake 
thee,    Heb.  xiii.  5.       This   Word,   Never 
Leave  thee,  reacheth  thro*  our  whole  Lives, 
even  unto  Death  ;  yea,   into  Death,  thro' 
Death,   above  and  beyond  Death,   even  to 
an   endleis  Eternity.       And   unlefs  ever- 
lafling  Arms  could  wax  weary,  unchange- 
able Love  alter,  and  Infinite    Faithfulnefs 

fail, 


(9) 

fail,  we  have  no  reaibn  to  be  afraid  ;  No, 
not  in  the  Valley  of  the  Shadow  of  Death, 
Pfa.  xxiii.  4.  Our  God  will  be  our  Rfuge 
and  Strength,  a  very  prefent  Help  in  that 
Time  of  Trouble,  Pfa.xlvi.  1.  And  as  he 
will  be  the  Strength  of  our  Heart,  when 
Heart  and  Fie  fib  fail  us,  fo,  our  Portion 
for  ever,  or  our  eternal  Lot.  And  oh, 
who  can  count  up  a  thouiandth  part  of 
thofe  vaft  Trea Cures  of  Glory  we  have  in 
his  immenfe  B  E I N  G,  as  he  has  made  over 
his  Great  SELF  to  us  in  Chrift !  Why 
fhould  we  then,  that  are  the  Kings  Sons, 
be  lean  from  Day  to  Day  ?  The  Lord 
grant  us  true  Greatnefs  of  Mind,  that  with 
a  Princely  Spirit,  we  may  behave  as  Heirs 
of  Glory  under  all  our  prefent  Trials ! 

Wifiiing  all  Profperity,  and  begging  a 
Share  in  your  Prayers,  I  commit  you  to 
IfraeN  Keeper,  and  reft, 

With  dear  Love,  Tours  in  the  Lord,  &c. 

LETTER     III. 

To  Mr.  W.  and  E.  C. 

Dear  Brother  and  Sijler, 

Race  and  Peace  from  God  our  Father, 
and  from  Jefus  Chrift  our  Lord,  be 
multiply'd  unto  you. 

A  5  I  am 


(  ro  ) 

I  am  perfuaded,  that  the  Lord  is  doing 
you  great  Good  by  the  great  Exercifes  you 
meet  with.     As  many  as  the  Lord  loves y 
he  rebukes  and  chajiens.     The  Lord  help 
you  to  believe,  that  all  your    Trials  are  fo 
many  freili  Tokens  of  that  boundlefs  Love, 
which  is  in  his  Heart  towards  you  ;  and  to 
receive  them  from  his  Hand  accordingly, 
with  Submiilion,Patience,Cheerfulneis  and 
Thankfulnefs !  Your  light  Afjliulion,  which 
is  but  for  a  Moment,  worketh  for  you  afar 
more  exceeding  and  eternal  Weight  of  Glory  ; 
while  you  look  not  at  the  Things  which  are 
feen,  which  are  temporal,  hut  at  the  Things 
which  are  ?iot  feen,  which  are  eternal.     Pa- 
tience  is   a  perfecting  Grace :  and  we  are 
exhorted  to  let  Patience   have  its  perfeft 
Work,  that  we  may  be  perfect  and  entire, 
wanting   nothing,    Jam.  i.  4.      When  the 
Saints,  (as  one  well  fays)  have  learn'd  to 
bear  a  Crofs,    they  fhall  wear   a  Crown. 
Our  dear  Lord  Jefus,  tbo'  he  were  a  Son, 
(inch  a  Sen  !)  yet  he  learned  Obedie?ice  by 
the  Things    which  he  Juffered*     And   the 
Members  muft  be  conform'd  to  their  Head, 
in  Sufferings,  as  well  as  in  Glory,tomeeten 
'em  for  their  Inheritance,  and  prepare  'em 
for  their  Crown.     Let  us  reckon  then,  that 
all  our   Time-Trials,  (as  they   flow  from 
God's  Love,  thro'  the  Blood  of  Chrifl,  and 

are 


(    M    ) 

are  under  the  fan&ifying  Influences  of  the 
Holy  Ghofl)  to  be  greater  Riches  than  the 
Treafures  of  Egypt,  or  this  dark  World. 

And    now,    That    you   both   may    be 

ftrengthned  with  all   Might,   according   to 

God's  glorious  Power,  unto  all  Patience,  and 

Long-fuffcring  with  joyfulnejs,  is  the  earneft 

Defire  of 

Tours,  &c, 


LETTER     IV. 

To  Mr.  H.  T. 

Dear  Sir, 

My  beloved  Brother  in  Chriji, 

IT  is  upon  my  Heart  to  write  a  few 
Lines  to  you,  to  befeech  you,  in  the 
Bowels  of  Jefus  Chrift,  and  by  all  that 
Love  and  Grace  which  has  been  difplay'd 
in  your  Salvation,  that  you  walk  worthy 
of  the  Vocation  wherewith  you  are  called. 
Oh,  remember,  That  in  Time  paft,  you  was 
a  Gentile  in  the  Flejh.  And  at  that  Time, 
you  was  a  Stranger  to  God,  and  an-  Enemy 
in  your  Mind^  by  reafon  of  wicked  Works. 
That  then,  being  under  the  Government 
of  the  Prince  of  Darknefs,  you  had  your 
Converiation  among  the  Children  of  Dfobe- 
A  6  dience, 


(    12    ) 

dience,  walking  according  to  the  Courfe  of 
this  World,  fulfilling  the  De fires  of  the  Flefo 
and  of  the  Mind  ,  and  was  by  Nature  a 
Child  of  Wrath,  even  as  others.  And,  oh, 
what  did  Free- Grace,  and  boundlefs  Mercy 
do  for  you  in  that  Day  !  When  the  Lord 
paiVd  by  you,  and  law  you  polluted  in  your 
own  Bloody  dead  in  Sins,  and  faid  unto 
you,  Live !  Surely,  your  Time,  That  Time,, 
was  a  Time  of  LOVE  !  What  Sins  did 
Free-Grace  forgive  !  What  Provocations  did 
it  pals  by  !  How  throughly  did  .it  Warn, 
Purify,  and  Beautify  your  Soul !  What  a 
glorious  Robe  of  Bight eoujhefs  did  it  caft 
over  you !  How  richly  did  it  anoint  you 
with  th$  Oil  of  GladnefSy  the  Spirir  of 
Grace,  as  a  Sanclifier  and  Comforter  !  And 
in  a  Word,  what  a  rich  Crown  of  Loving 
Kindnefs  did  it  fet  upon  your  Head!  So 
that  you  was  exceeding- beautiful,  and  did 
prof  per  into  a  Kingdom  \  being  made  by 
Jefus  Chrift,  a  King,  and  a  Prieft  unto 
God  and  His  Father  ! 

And  now,  what  think  you  do  you 
owe  to  Free-Grace  !  Is  it  not  worthy  to 
be  glorify'd  by  your  whole  Spirit,  Soul 
and  Eody  ?  When  you  was  fifft  efpoufed 
to  Chrift,  did  you  not  give  him  your  whole 
Self  ?  Did  you  not  count  him  worthy  of 
all  Love,  Duty,  and  Glory  ?  Did  you  not 

Then 


<  '3  ) 

Then  like  his  Kmgly,  as  well  as  his  Priejlly 
Office  ?  and  count  Obedience  to  his  Scepter 
your  high  Privilege,  as  well  as  Forgive- 
nefs  of  Sins  thro'  his  Blood  ?  And  is  your 
Mind  altered  now  ?  Do  you  think  Jefus 
Chrift  is  lefs  worthy  of  your  Love,  Duty, 
and  Glory  now,  than  he  was  Then  ?  Is  he 
leis  excellent  in  Himfelf?  or  in  any  of  his 
Glorious  Offices  ?  Or  is  all  his  Excellency 
Love  and  Grace  to  you,  of  little  worth  ? 
of  no  Force  to  conftrain  you  to  live  to 
Him  ?  Oh,  my  dear  Brother,  what  an 
abominable,  hateful  Thing  is  Sin  !  What 
a  Difhonour  doth  it  caft  upon,  and  how 
contrary  is  it  to  God,  Father,  Son,  and 
Spirit !  How  doth  it  flight  and  thwart  the 
Defign  of  the  Father's  Love,  which  was  to 
make  us  perfectly  holy  !  How  doth  it  con- 
temn the  Grace  of  Chrift,  and  contradict 
the  End  of  his  Death,  which  was  to  purify 
unto  Himfelf  a  peculiar  People,  zealous  of 
good  Works !  And  how  doth  it  flight  and 
thwart  the  gracious  Defign  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  who  has  taken  Pofleffion  of  our 
Souls,  to  work  us  up  into  a  full  Conformity 
to  Chrift,  our  holy  Head  !  and  how,  by 
Sin,  do  we  grieve  him  !  Depart  from  usy 
we  defire  not  the  Knowledge  of  fky  ff^ays,  is 
the  Language  of  every  Sin  to  each  of  the 
Three  Perfons  in  the  glorious  Godhead 

By 


(  H) 

By  every  Act  of  Sin,  we  do  as  it  were,  re- 
nounce our  Allegiance  to  God  in  Chrift, 
and  to  Him,  as  Sions  King  •  and,  as  far  as 
in  us  lies,  put  ourielves  afrefh  under  the 
Dominion  of  Satan  ;  preferring  the  Prince 
of  Darknefs,  and  his  hellifh  Dictates,  before 
the  Pfince  of  Light,  and  the  glorious  Teach- 
ings of  his  Word  and  Spirit !  Oh,  hor- 
rid ! 

And  as  for  ourfelves,  Oh,  what  a  Soul- 
deftroying  Thing  is  Sin  !  Every  Sin  is  a 
Step  taken  back  towards  Egypt's  Land  -y 
towards  that  Nature-Darknefs,  and  Bon- 
dage, from  which  Free- Grace,  boundlefs 
Mercy,  and  Almighty  Power  fet  us  free. 
'Tis  making  ^Captain  to  return  into  Egypt ; 
lothing  the  heavenly  Manna\  and  longing 
after  the  F/eJb-pots,  the  Onions  and  Garlicky 
the  abominable  Fare  we  once  fed  on,  while 
in  the  Kingdom  of  Satan,  when  we  drank 
Iniquity  like  Water.  It  brings  Death  upon 
our  Comforts,  Fruitfulnefs,  and  Ufefulneis 
in  the  World  :  for  if  we  live  after  the 
F/eJJ:,  we  Jhall  die.  By  Sin,  we  lofe  our 
Opportunities  of  glorifying  God  upon  the 
Earth  ;  and  fb,  that  Praiie,  Honour,  and 
Glory  we  mould  otherwife  receive  in  the 
Day  of  Chrift.  Yea,  as  by  Sin  we  dis- 
honour God,  and  abide  not  in  Chrift  j  io 
we  mall  be  afliamed    before  Him  at  his 


coming* 


(  »s) 

coming.  If  we  fliould  be  fav'd  at  laft ; 
yet  how  fad  will  it  be  to  lofe  all  our  Works  ? 
For  that  fiery  Day  will  try  all  the  Works 
of  God's  dear  Children.  If  any  Man's 
Work  abide,  he  Jloall  receive  a  Reward  : 
If  any  Man's  Work  be  burnt ;,  he  fiall  fiiffer 
Lofs  :  But  he  himfelf  (upon  the  bottom 
of  Sovereign  Grace)  jhallbe  faved>yet  Jo  as 
by  Fire  ;  or  as  a  Perfon  juft  efcapes,  with 
his  Life,  the  Violence  of  the  Flames,  and 
has  all  his  Goods  confumed.  i  Cor.  iii.  13, 
&c.  This  is  our  Seeds-time,  and  every 
Thought,  Word  and  A&ion,  may  fitly  be 
compar'd  to  /owing  of  Seed.  And  he  that 
jbweth  to  his  Fk/h3  flail  of  the  FleJJ:  reap 
Corruption  ;  but  he  that  foweth  to  the  Spi- 
rit\  Jloall  of  the  Spirit  reap  Life  Everlaft- 
ing ;  or  that  incorruptible  Crown  of  Glory, 
for  which  the  Apoffle  fays,  He,  and  the 
Saints  ran  their  Chriftian-Race,  Gal.  vi.  8. 
1  Cor.  ix.  25. 

Upon  the  whole,  my  dear  Brother, 
have  you  been  joined  to  Idols  ?  Oh  fay, 
What  have  I  to  do  any  more  with  them  ? 
Have  you  turned  away  from  the  Lord  ? 
Oh  return  unto  Him  again  !  For  he  is 
Merciful  and  Gracious ,  and  will  not  cauje 
his  Anger  to  Jail  upon  you.  He'll  have 
Mercy  upon  you,  and  abundantly  pardon. 
If  we  confejs  our  Sins,  (over  thcHead  of  the 

great 


(  r6) 

great  Sacrifice,  looking  by  Faith  afrefh 
upon  Chrift,  who  once  bare  them  in  his 
own  Body  on  the  Tree)  he  is  faithful  and  jufl 
to  forgive  us  our  Sins,  a?id  to  cieanfe  us  from 
all  Unrighteoufnefs. 

And  as  a  Means  to  make  you  hate  Sin, 
and  ftrengthen  you  againft  it,  look  upon  it 
oft  thro'  the  Glafs  of  a  crucify 'd  Jefus. 
Bring  it,  by  Faith,  to  the  Crofs  of  Chrift* 
and  fee  if  there  is  not  Virtue  enough  in 
the  Blood  of  your  crucified  Saviour,  to 
crucify  the  Flefi  with  the  JiffeBions  and 
Lifts.  And  whenever  you  find  your  Heart 
enclined  to  any  Evil,  think  thus;  What 
did  my  dear  Lord  once  bear  for  my  Sin  ? 
Can  I  love  that,  which  was  fo  hateful,  and 
lothibm  unto  Him  ?  Can  I  take  Pleafure 
in  That,  which  fill  his  bitter  Cup  ?  Can  I 
take  Sin  by  the  Hand,  and  thereby  take  up 
a  Sword  as  it  were  to  wound  and  pierce 
my  Lord  afrefh  ?  Have  I  not  pierc'd  him 
enough  already  ?  Can  I  not  be  contented 
without  plucking  the  Crown  from  his 
Head,  who  dy'd  to  crown  me  ?  I  intreat 
you  to  think  thus  j  yea,  I  charge  you  in 
the  Name  of  the  Lord,  to  put  thefe  Qjefii- 
ons  to  your  Soul,  in  an  Hour  of  Temptati- 
on. And  if  they  will  not  move  you  ;  you 
may  be  fure,  that  your  Soul  is  in  fad  Cale, 
and  greatly    harden  d  thro'  the  Deceitfuhejs 

of 


'(  *7) 

of  Sin.  And  every  frefh  Act  of  Sin  will 
harden  your  Heart  more  and  more,  and 
make  you  lefs  capable  to  refiftTemptations  -7 
until,  perhaps,  you  provoke  the  Lord  to 
give  you  up  to  thePowerof  Sin  and  Satan,  in 
fuch  a  Manner, as  at  prefeutyou  little  think 
of  -y  and  alio  to  bring  a  fevere  Rod  upon 
you  by  his  own  Hand.  Believe  it,  that 
iinning  againft  God.  will  be  Bitiernejs  in 
the  End.  And  Sins  againft  Light  and  Love 
are  the  moil  prefumptuous,  and  of  the 
deepeft  Dye.  Again,  as  a  Means  to  keep 
your  Hearc  in  a  holy  Bent  againft  Sin,  be 
frequent  in  fecret  Prayer,  ejaculatory,  at 
leaft  •  ask  Help  of  God  •  try  this  Weapon 
of  All-Prayer.  And  read  and  meditate 
on  God's  Word.  If  we  were  diligent  in 
the  Ufe  of  Means,  to  keep  our  Hearts  in 
an  holy  Frame,  we  mould  not  be  fo  apt 
to  fall  in  with  Temptations  as  we  are.  If 
we  were  fill'd  with  the  Spirit  of  Grace,  the 
Life  and  Sap  of  our  holy  Root,  we  mould 
be  like  green  Wood,  not  apt  to  take  Fire. 
But  it  is  our  Drynefs,  becaufe  we  abide  not 
in  Chrift  by  Faith,  that  ruins  us.  Once 
more,  another  Means  I  intreat  you  to 
make  Ufe  of,  is,  Watchfulnefs.  Watch 
the  firft  Motions  of  Sin,  and  kill  'em  in  the 
Bud.  Beware  likewiie,  that  you  go  not  to 
the  String's- End,  as  it  were ;  that  you  go 

not 


(  '8  ) 

not  to  the  utmoft  of  that  Liberty  you  think 
you  may  have,  and  yet  keep  from  the  A<5fc 
of  Sin.  Dallying  with  Temptations,  is  en- 
tering into  them.  Converfe  with  Satan  is 
the  ready  Way  to  be  overcome.  If  we 
wou'd  not  yield  to  any  Act  of  Sin  ;  let's 
beware  that  we  yield  not  to  a  pleafmg 
Thought  about  it. 

And  now,  That  the  Grace  of  Chrift  may 
be  fufficient  for  you,  and  his  Strength  made 
perfect  in  your  Weaknefs,  is  the  earneft 
Defire  of, 

Sir,  Tours  in  the  Lord,  &c. 

LETTER     V. 
To  R.K. 

Dear  Sifter  in  our  Precious  Je/ns, 
EST  you  mould  queftion  my  Love, 

_j  tho'  in  Hafte,  I  wou'd  write  a  few 
Lines.  We  have  had  many  fweet  Feafta 
with  our  Beloved  in  the  Wildernefs :  But 
the  richeft  Provifions,  and  the  beft  Wine 
are  referved  till  the  laft  -,  and  the  Marriage- 
Supper  haftens.  The  Lord  grant  ^ou  may 
grow  in  Grace,  and  in  the  Knowledge  of 
Chrift  !  Oh,  how  little  have  we  fctn  of 
his  tranfcendent  Beauty  !  We  have  beheld 
fo  much  of  his  Glory,  as  to  make  him 
the  chief  eft  of  Ten  Tboujandixi  our  Efteem  : 

But 


L 


(  »9  ) 

But  there  is  enough  in  him  to  fill  Men 
and  Angels  with  new  Wonder  to  all  Eter- 
nity !  Chrift's  Riches,  are  abfolutely  un- 
fearchable ;  a  Mine  that  we  can  never 
bottom  to  Eternity  !  We  fhall  fee  more 
and  more  of  hisGlory3as  we  pafs  on  towards 
Perfection  ;  and  Oh,  the  wonderful  Gcace 
that  is  to  be  brought  unto  us  at  our  Lord's 
next  Appearing,  which,  in  a  Way  of  Emi- 
nence, will  be  The  Revelation  of  J  ejus 
Chrift  !  The  Views  of  his  Glory,  which  we 
have  had  here,  tho'  true  and  real,  yet  are 
fo  fmall,  that  if  compar'd  with  what  we 
(hall  have  then,  it  will  be  as  if  we  had  never 
fcen  him  -,  and  as  if  he  was  but  then  re- 
veal'd  to  us.  We  fhall  be  fo  ravifh'd  with 
the  Views  of  his  Glory,  that  we  fhall  never 
be  able  to  look  off  his  bright  Face  for 
ever. 

I  am  Tours  in  Chri/l,  &c. 


LETTER     VI. 
To  Mrs.  E.  B. 

Much  honour *d  and  beloved  Sifter, 

C*1  Race  and  Peace  be  multiply'd  unto 
]f  you,  thro'  the  Knowledge  of  God, 
and  of  Jefus  our  Li>rd. 

Yours 


(20) 

Yours  I  received,  and  return  you  abun- 
dant Thanks  for  your  great  Kindnefs  fhewn 
towards  us,  and  unto  me,  who  am  the 
moft  unworthy,  and  lefs  than  the  leaft  of  all 
Chrift's.  And  none  of  your  Kindnefs 
fhewn  towards  my  dear  Lord,  in  the 
weakeft  of  his  Members,  mall  be  unre- 
warded at  his  next  Appearing. 

If  you  fmelt  any  Fragrancy  on  us,it  was 
Chrift's  Sweetnefs  caft  upon  us  that  de- 
lighted your  fpiritual  Senfe.  And  if  Unfti- 
on  from  the  holy  One,  a  Drop  of  that  holy 
Oil  caft  upon  a  Creature,  be  fo  fragrant ; 
what  mud  the  immeafurable  Fulnefs  of 
the  Lord's  Anointed,  the  Chrift  of  God> 
be  !  For  God  giveth  not  the  Spirit  by  Mea- 
jure  unto  Him.  Oh  the  tranifcendent  Fra- 
grancy of  our  Beloved  !  The  Smell  of  His 
Garments  delight  the  Saints,  both  in  the, 
upper  and  lower  Worlds.  There  are  little 
Sparks  of  Beauty  and  Excellency  fcatter'd 
up  and  down  in  the  Creatures  ;  efpecially 
among  the  Saints,  the  Excellent  of  the  Earth , 
as  new  Creatures :  but  all  Beauties,  in  their 
flaming  Glories,  are  furnmed  up,  and  ra- 
diantly mine  in  the  Perfon  of  Chrift,  as 
God- Man!  There  is  in  Chrift,  not  only 
the  Beauty  of  the  whole  Creation,  but  even 
uncreated  Beauty  itfelf.  What's  all  the 
Beauty  of  the  Creaturesa  of  Men  and  Ap- 

gels, 


(21   ) 

gels,  in  both  Worlds,  if  compar'd  to  his  ; 
in  whom  the  Fulnefs  of  the  Godhead  dwell- 
eth  Bodily  !  None  in  the  Heavens  can  be 
compared  unto  the  LORD,  none  among 
the  Sons  of  theMighty  can  be  likened  unto 
the  LORD;  the  LORD,  the  Mediator. 
No ,  the  Heavens  praKe  him  as  God's 
WONDER!  Pfal.  hcxxik.  5,  6.  The 
glorious  Hofts  of  Saints  and  Angels  above, 
under  the  furprizing  and  increafing  Dis- 
plays of  his  Glory,  eternally  adore  that  un- 
created Beauty  and  Brightnefs  which  fhines 
forth  in  our  exalted  Jefus !  The  crowned 
Saints  cajl  down  their  Crowns  before  his 
Throne,and  fhrink  to  nothing,  as  it  were,  in 
themfelves,  before  the  Difplays  of  his  infinite 
Majefty,  Love,  and  Grace !  Rev.  iv.20.  The 
whole  Hoft  ofSerapbims,Angeh,  and  Arch- 
angels, w//  their  Faces, and  cover  their  Feet,  ad 
unworthy  to  ftand  in  his  Prefence,  or  to 
look  on  the  refulgent  Brightnefs  of  his  un- 
fearchable  Glory  -,  as  the  Train  of  divine 
Perfections  Jills  the  Temple  of  his  glorified 
human  Nature !  I/a.  vi.  1,2.  And  as  for 
the  Saints  below,  when  favour'd  with  the 
leaft  Glimpfe  of  his  Glory,  he  is  the 
chief  eft  oj  ten  Thoufand  in  their  Efteem,  and 
altogether  lovely !  They  have  none  in  Heaven 
but  him,  nor  upon  the  Earth  that  they 
defire  befides  him,  or  in  companion  with 
Jhim.     Song  v.  10,  16.  Pfa.  lxxv.  25.    Oh 

how 


(22) 

how  happy,  are  thofe  Souls  who  have  an 
Intereft  in  this  great  Lord  Jefus !  and  are 
bleft  with  the  transforming  Shine  of  his  in- 
conceivable Glory !  Oh,  what  Folly  are  we 
guilty  of,  when  we  forfake  this  Fountain  of 
living  Waters,  and  hew  out  to  ourfelves 
broken  Cijierns  that  can  hold  no  Water  I 
Jer.  ii.  13.  When  we  forfake  the  infinite 
Fulnefs  of  Chrift,  and  feek  Contentment  in 
Creatures,  and  Creature-Excellencies !  The 
Way  of  Life  is  above  to  the  Wije  :  Pro  v.  xy. 
24.  The  Way  of  Faith,  by  which  Life  is 
pofleft  and  enjoy 'd,  is,  to  live  out  of  our- 
felves, upon  the  Chrift  of  God,  in  all  his 
infinite  Fulnefs  and  Fitnefs  to  fave  Sinners, 
from  the  Depths  of  Mifery,  to  the  Height 
of  Glory. 

Dear  Sifter,  you  fay,  "  That  I  will  not 
<c  allow  you  to  put  Ifs,  concerning  your 
Intereft  in  the  Lord  Jefus/*  But  if  I 
would  not  y  it  is  not  for  Want  of  Bowels 
towards  you,  nor  Sympathy  with  you  in 
all  your  Soul-Diftrefifes.  No,  I  can  fay, 
thro'  Grace,  that,  in  the  Bowels  of  my 
dear  Lord  Jefus,  I  have  a  companionate 
Tendernefs  towards  all  his  fuftering  Mem- 
bers ;  and,  in  an  efpecial  Manner,  an  in- 
ward Fellow-feeling  with  the  Lambs  of  his 
Flock,  under  all  their  Harafiings  by  the 
roaring   Lion  :  and  glad,  exceeding  glad 

ihould 


(   23    ) 

fliould  I  be,  if  by  any  Means,  I  might  be 
made  helpful  to  'em  in  the  Combat.  But 
having  feen  fomewhat  of  that  Difhonour 
Unbelief  brings  unto  God,  and  found  what 
Difcomfort  it  has  brought  to  my  own  Soul ; 
I  would  exhort  my  dear  Brethren  and 
Sifters,  to  take  Goa  at  his  Word,  as  to  their 
eternal  Salvation,  in  looking  unto  Jefus ; 
and  to  hold  fail  the  Confidence  of  their 
eternal  Security,  in  the  Face  of  ten  Thou- 
fand  Difficulties,  and  feeming  Contrarieties, 
merely  upon  the  Word  and  Oath  of  a  God 
that  cannot  lie  :  who  has  laid  himfelf  un- 
der fuch  Engagements,  on  purpofe  that 
the  Heirs  of  Promife  might  have  ftrong  Con- 
futation,  who  have  fed  for  Refuge  to  lay  hold 
upon  the  Hope  jet  before  'em.  Heb.  vi.  18. 
The  Lord,  would  not  only  have  us  to  be 
fafe,  but  to  know  our  Safety,  in  fleeing  to 
his  dear  Son  for  Life.  And  when  the  Saints 
exhort  one  another  to  hold  jafl  the  Begin- 
ning of  their  Confidence  ft  edf a  ft  unto  the  Endi 
their  Defign  herein,  is,  that  God  might 
have  the  Glory,  and  they  the  Comfort  of 
of  this  great  Salvation.  Nor  are  fuch  Ex- 
hortations in  vain  :  The  Lord  often  bleffeth 
them,  as  a  Means,  to  encourage  his  dear 
Children  in  the  good  Fight  of  Faith.  And 
I  am  perfwaded,  that  God's  fearful -hearted 
Ones  would  not  fo  often  fpeak  the  Lan- 
guage 


(24) 

guage  of  Unbelief,  if  they  did  confider, 
what  great  Diilionour  it  carts  upon  God, 
in  each  of  the  three  glorious  Perfons,  as  they 
have  been,  and  are  jointly  engag'd  in  the 
Work  of  our  Salvation ;  and  likewife,  how 
much  they  weaken  their  own  Hands 
thereby.  A  few  Thoughts,  and  Words  of 
Faith,  in  a  Time  of  Darknefs,  brings  more 
Honour  unto  God,  and  Comfort  to  the 
Soul,  than  we  are  aware  of.  A  Believer, 
by  every  Ad  of  Faith,  doth  as  it  were 
afrefli  fet  to  his  Seal  that  God  is  true  -,  and 
likewife  enters  into  Reft.  Johniii.  33.  Heb. 
Iv.  3.  Every  Ad:  of  Faith  brings  prefent 
Honour  to  God,  and  Reft  to  the  Soul. 
And,  as  Ads  ftrengthen  Habits ;  fo  every 
Ad  of  Faith  ftrengthens  the  Habit  of 
Faith,  and  tends  to  weaken  and  fubdue  the 
Power  of  Unbelief.  Whereas,  by  yielding 
to  Unbelief,  we  give  God  the  Lie,  and 
weaken  our  own  Hands  :  We  thereby 
render  ourfelves  more  uncapable  to  right  it 
out  in  Faith,  againft  the  Powers  of  Dark- 
nefs. We  are  exhorted  to  take  unto  us 
the  whole  Armour  of  God,  that  fo  we  may 
be  able  to  *withjla?id  in  the  evil  Day,  antf 
having  done  all  to  Jland.  Eph.  vi.  13. 
'Tis  always  an  evil  Day  with  God's  Chil- 
dren, when  they  are  affaulted  about  their 
intereft  in  the  Lord    Jefus  :  And  if  we 

have 


(  M  ) 
have  not  then  this  Piece  of  Armour,  the 
Helmet ,  on  our  Heads ,  the  Hope  of 
Salvation,  (the  objective  Hope  of  Salva- 
tion, or  the  Ground  we  have  of  Hope  of 
Salvation)  the  Enemy  will  wo  and  us  ex^ 
ceedingly. 

As  to  the  variousTemptations,Darknefs, 
and  the  Power  of  Unbelief,  you  are  exer- 
cis'd  with  ;  the  fame  Afflictions  are  accom- 
pliftid  in  yoar    Brethren   that  are  in  the 
World.     The  Children  of  God  are  all  try'd 
in  thefe  refpects,   more  or  leis.     And  'tis 
well  for  us,  that  we  have  a  fympathizing 
high  Prieft  ,   who   can   have    Compafiion 
according  to  the  Meafure  of  our  Diflrefs- 
who  has  been  tempted  in  all  Points  like  unto 
^,that  from  an  experimental  Feeling  of  the 
Power  of  Temptation, he  might  know  how, 
in  the  tendereit  Bowels,to  fuccour  us  when 
tempted.       Not    a   Sorrow  pierceth    our 
Hearts,  but  our  dear  companionate  Head 
feels  it :   And  he  lives  in  Heaven,  on  pur- 
pofe  to  fave  us  out  of  all  our  Diflreifes,  by 
his    Advocacy  and  Interceiiion    with   His 
and  Our  Father,  in  the  Virtue  of  his  Great 
Sacririce,  and  in   the  Intereit  of  his  Great 
Perfon.     So  that  we  are  exceeding   fafe, 
who  have  trufted  our  Souls  in  the  Hands 
of  this  Jefus,  with  whom  the  Father  is  well 
pleafed,  and  in  whom  his  Soul  dclighteth  ; 


(  26  ) 

fo  that  he  can  deny  him  nothing  that  he  asks. 
Yea,  it  mali  certainly  be  well  with  us  ; 
fince  the  Father  himfelf  loveth  us ;  and 
from  thence  called  his  own  Son  to  this 
Office  of  High-Prieft  for  us  upon  the 
Throne,  on  purpofe  that  the  glorious  Fruits 
of  his  Love,  in  our  complete  Salvation, 
might  be  communicated  to  us,  in  a  Way 
.of  Honour  to  all  the  divine  Perfections. 
,And  as  we  are  fafe,  and  it  is,  and  mall  be 
well  with  us,  fo  we  have  great  reafon  to  be 
exceeding  joyful  in  all  our  Tribulations  -> 
while  we  Jill  up  that  which  is  behind  of  the 
Afflictions  of  Chrift  in  our  Flefh.  Col.  i.  24. 
For  even  now,  while  wre  are  Combatants, 
we  are  more  than  Conquerors,  thro'  him  that 
hath  loved  us,  Rom.viii.  37.  And  if  we 
fuffer  with  him,  we  fiall  alfo  be  glorified  to- 
gether* Ver.  xvii.  Our  glorious  Captain 
will  cover  our  Heads  in  the  Day  of  Battle  ; 
and  as  he  has  overcome  For  us,  fo  he  will 
certainly  overcome  In,  and  By  us :  He'll 
give  the  Victory  on  our  Side,  either  actively, 
cr  pafiively.  For  tho',  like  Gad,  a  Troop 
may  overcome  us,  yet  we  Jhall  overcome  at 
the  la/t.  If  Sin  and  Satan  mould  give  us 
a.  Foil,  then  our  dear  Lord  Jefus  will  lead 
us  afrefh  to  his  Death;  and  fo  we  fhall 
©vercome,  paffively,  by  the  Blood  of  the 
JLamb.  And  then,  having  renewed  Peace, 
n  undec 


under  the  Sprinklings  of  the  Blood  of 
Jefus ,  our  Faith  mall  be  rais'd  up  a- 
gain,  to  bear  a  frefh  Teftimany  for  God, 
againft  the  Prince  of  Darknefs,  and  all  the 
Powers  of  Sin  ;  and  fo  we  (hall  overcome 
Actively.  Rev.xii.n.  All  the  Weaknefs 
and  Sin  that  attend  us  in  the  Conflict,  for- 
giving Love  will  bury  in  the  Depths  of  the 
Sea  5  and  every  Act  of  our  tried  Graces, 
Jkall  be  found  unto  Praife,  Honour,  and 
Glory  at  the  Appearing  of  Jefus  Chrift. 
And  when  once  we  get  to  the  City  of  Habi- 
tation, the  Reft  that  remains  for  us,  we 
(hall  blefs  God  for  all  his  Dealings  with  us, 
and  admire  the  Conduct  of  wife  Love,  in 
all  the  Way  it  led  us  thro1  the  Wildernefs  • 
while  we  fee  every  weary  Step  wifely  over- 
ruled to  make  our  Reft  fo  much  the  more 
glorious.  We  mall  then  fee,  that  we 
could  not  have  been  without  any,  the  leaft 
of  all  our  Trials,  whatfoever  they  be  ;  but 
God  would  have  had  lefs  Glory,  and  we 
lefs  Happinefs.  If  we  are  in  Heavinefs 
thro  manifold  Temptations,  there's  an  abfo- 
lute  Need  of  it ;  that  God  might  have  his 
manifeftative  Glory,  in  our  Deliverance,  in 
all  thofe  various  Rays  which  infinite  Wif- 
dom  crdain'd  •  and  that  We  might  have 
that  full  and  comprehensive  Salvation,  unto 
which  we  were  appointed.  Our  fuffering 
B  2  State 


(  *8  ) 
State  will  be  quickly  over  j  our  reigning 
State  haftens.  And  mean  while,  our 
light  Affliction,  which  is  but  for  a  Moment, 
worketh  for  us  a  far  more  exceeding  and 
eternal  Weight  of  Glory.  Let  us  then  be 
Followers  oftbem,  who  thro'  Faith  and  Pati- 
ence, do  now  inherit  the  Promijcs;  reckon- 
ing the  Sufferings  of  this  prejent  Ti??ie  not 
worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  Glory  that 
frail  be  revealed  in  Wy  2  Cor.  iv.  J  7.  Heb. 
vi.  12.  Rom.  viii.  18. 

I  am  glad,  my  dear  Sifter,  that  at  Times, 
you  are  favour'd  with  Soul-amazing  Pro- 
ipecls  of  your  near  and  high  Relation  unto 
God  in  Chrift ;  which  humbles  you  in  th@ 
Duft,  before  the  Majefty  of  that  Grace 
which  fhines  forth  herein.  This  is  no  left 
than  Heaven  begun  in  your  Soul,  a  Sweet 
Fore-tafte  of  that  inconceivable  Glory,  you 
ihall  e're  long  have  the  full  Pofleffion  of. 
A  Clufter  of  Canaan  $  Grapes  is  brought 
you  in  the  Wildernefs ;  that  fo  you  might 
know,  by  fpiritual  Senfe,  as  well  as  by 
Faith,  that  the  Land  whither  you  are  go- 
ing, is  an  exceeding  good  Land.  And 
what  tho',  at  other  Seafons,  thro'  the  Power 
of  Unbelief,  you  may  be  kept  low  in  your 
Soul ;  yet  this  makes  no  Change  in  your 
High  Relation  to  God  in  Chrift,  nor  in 
thole  high  Privileges  you  have  in   Him. 


(  19  ) 

If  we  believe  %ot3  and  fo  want  the  Joy  of 
Gbd'g  Salvation  ;  yet  He  abideth  faithful^ 
and  cannot  deny  Him felf  \  in  the  unalterable 
Word  and  Oath  which  is  gone  out  of  his 
Mouth  concerning  it ;  and  fo  the  Salvati- 
on itfelf  is  eternally  fecur'd  to  us.  When 
Darknefs  covers  us  ;  The  Darknejs  an  J 
the  Light  are  both  alike  to  Him  :  and  at 
fuch  Times,  we  are  efpecially  calFd  to  live 
by  Faith;  to  truft  in  the  LORD,  and 
ft  ay  ourfe/ves  upon  our  God,  I/iiA.  10.  He 
is  Our  God  full,  even  when  we  have  no 
Light  of  inward  Comfort  to  walk  by ;  and 
are  ready  to  be  driven  away  with  Tempta- 
tions :  and  it  is  the  Excellency  of  Faith,  to 
truft  in  Jehovah,  and  ftay  itfelf  upon  him, 
as  its  own  God,  at  fuch  Seafons. 

You  can  with  Comfort  remember  the 
Time  paft,when  you  was  enabled  to  crowd 
thro'  all  your  own  Uhworthinefs,  and  in- 
ward Corruptions,  to  Touch  the  Hem  of 
ChrifVs  Garment  -,  which  you  found  to  be 
HeaVuig  to  your  Soul.  And  as  you  have 
received'  Chrift  J  ejus  the  Lord,  fo  walk  in 
him,  Col.  ii.  6.  As  we  came  to  Chrift  at 
firft,  as  undone  Sinners  in  ourfelves,  to  re- 
ceive that  free  and  full  Salvation  of  God, 
prepar'd  for  us  in  Him  -y  even  fo  let  us 
come  unto  him  all  our  Days  under  a  deep, 
and  increafing  Senfe  of  our  own  Emptinefs, 
B  i  to 


(  30) 

to  be  continually  fupply'dout  of  his  inex- 
hauftible  Fulnefs.     Faith  is  a  Grace  or- 
dain'd  of  God,  to  take  poffeffion  of  Chrift, 
and  of  Eternal  Life  in  him  :  And  let  us  be 
affured  of  our  Eternal  Safety,  having  run 
into   Chrift,    the   City  of  Refuge.     How 
much  Sin  foever  there  may  be  in  fuch  a 
Soul,  there  is  no  Condemnation  to  it.  No, 
bleffed  be  God,  our  State  in  Chrift,  alters 
not  a  jot,  with  our  Frames.     The  Difcove- 
ries  of  God's  Favour  towards  us  in  his  Son, 
may  vary  ;  but  his   Love,  in  itfelf,  is  as 
unchangeable  as  his  Being.     'Tis  an  ever- 
lafting  Round,  that  glorioufly  enclofeth  us 
from  Eternity  to  Eternity.     We  are  en- 
dos'd  in  Grace  by  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit ; 
•fet  in  Grace  in  our  Enclofings,    as  the  pre- 
vious Stones  in   Aaron  %  Breaft-plate  were, 
fet  in  pure  Gold,  Exod.  xxviii.  20.     So  we 
are  fet,  and   have  an  eternal  Fixation,  an 
unchangeable  Standing    in  Grace,   Rom.  v. 
2.     God's  Love,  like  the  Sun  in  the  Fir- 
mament, always   keeps  a  fteady     Courfe, 
whether  we  behold   it,  or  Clouds  hide  its 
Glory  from  our  View.    And  fo  various  are 
its  Emanations,  that  our  Sight  is  much  too 
weak  to  take  in  the  full   Glory  of  its  Rays. 
Love  walks   in  fuch  various  Ways,  fuch 
unthought-of  Paths,  that  we  are  often  at  a 
lofs  to  trace  its  wondrods  Steps  in  the  mighty 

Race 


(  p  ) 

Race  it  runs.  It  will  take  up  Eternity  to  ad- 
mire its  myfterious  Circuits,  in  all  its  rich* 
Aboundings  according  to  the  manifold  \Vii- 
dom  of  God. 

Grace  be  with  you.    Amen. 

I  am  Tours  m  Chrift,  &c. 


LETTER.     VII. 

To  Mrs.  M. 

Dear  Sifter,    who?}}    Hove  and   honoitr 
in  the  Lord, 

I  Rejoice  with  you,  for  the  exceeding 
Riches  of  boundlefs  Grace  extended' 
towards  you,  not  only  in  the  Salvation  of 
your  Soul  -y  but  alfo  in  that  AfTurance  of 
Faith  you  are  favour'd  with  :  and  likewile, 
that  your  longing  Soul,  under  the  ripening 
Influences  of  the  Sun  of  Right  eoujhefs,  hath 
a  Deftre  to  depart ,  and  to  be  with  Chrijii 
which  is  far  better,      i 

But  yet,  my  dear.  Siller,  I  befeech  you, 
fufferthat  Word  of 'Exhortation,  jam.  i.  4: 
Let  Patience  have  her  perfecf  Work,  that  ye 
may  be  perfetl  and  entire,  wanting  nothing. 
Be  willing  to  ftay  the  Lord's  Time ;  and 
fear  not  your  loAng  any  tiling  thereby. 
Chrift  comes  into  his  Garden  to  gather  Li- 
lieSj  as  foon  as  ever  they  are  fully  ripe  for 
B  4  his 


(    3?    ) 

his  own  Boibm.  He  will  gather  you  in, 
as  a  Shock  of  Corn  in  its  Sea/on  -y  and  not 
let  you  flay  in  the  Field  too  long,  to  your 
Damage.  No,  your  flay  in  the  World 
is  to  prepare  you  for  Glory  ;  that  Glory, 
which  is  laid  up  for  you,  and  fhall  fhortly 
be  put  upon  you. 

But  it  may  be,  you  will  fay,  c  If  I  faw 
c  that  Work  go  on,  I  fliould  be  willing  to 
'■  flay  ;  but  inftead  of  being  more  prepared 
*  for  Glory,  I  think,  I  am  more  unmeet/ 

But  as  to  this,  God  is  the  beft  Judge  of 
our  Meetnefs  for  Glory  ;  as  alfo,  of  the 
Ways,  Means,  and  Time  to  meeten  us. 
Perhaps,  you  may  not  feel  fuch  a  vehement 
Flame  of  Love,  Joy,  and  Zeal  as  you  was 
wont  y  and  yet  your  Faith,  Humility,  and 
Patience  may  be  greater.  There's  a  Vari- 
ety of  Graces,  in  the  Souls  of  the  Saints  -y 
and  each  muft  have  its  Exercife,  and  pro- 
per Time  of  Trial. 

If  you  have  not  now  fuch  Manifeflati- 
ons  of  Divine  Favour,  to  the  inflaming  of 
your  Love  3  yet  it  may  be  you  may  glo- 
rify God  more,  by  believing  in  the  Dark, 
by  trufling  in  him  when  he  feems  to 
flay  you, by  cleaving  to  him  when  he  feems  to 
caft  you  off;  as  counting  him  both  able  and 
faithful,   that  hath  promis'd,  even  in  the 

Face 


(  33  ) 
Face  of  ten  thoufand  Deaths  and  Difficul- 
ties, with  which  you  are  furrounded. 

If,  thro'  the  Lord's  withdrawing  his 
fenfible  Prefence,  and  an  increafing  Sight 
of  your  own  Corruptions,  you  do  not  moot 
upwards  in  Spiritual  Joy,  as  you  was  wont ; 
yet  you  may  grow  more  downwards  in 
Humility,  and  Self-abafement. 

And  tho'  your  Zeal,  in  a  way  of  active 
Obedience,  may  want  that  vehement  Flame 
it  once  had  3  yet  your  Patience  in  paflive 
Obedience,  or  your  Fitnefs  to  endure  a 
Variety  of  Trials,  may  by  greater.  And 
fo  you  are  (till  upon  the  Increafe,  even 
when  you  feem  to  decline. 

And  as  to  thofe  very  Graces,  which  feem 
to  wither  -,  there  may  not  be  fuch  a  De- 
cay in  them  as  you  think  of.  They  may 
decay  in  foine  Refpefts,  and  yet  increafe 
in  others.  For  tho'  the  Edge  of  your  fpi- 
ritual  Affections,  may  not  be  fo  keen  ;  yet 
your  Love  may  be  more  folid,  and  keep  a 
more  fteady  Courfe  in  all  the  Paths  of 
Obedience ;  even  in  the  Want  of  thofe 
fweet  Allurements,  which  firft  inticed  you 
into  the  Wildernefs.  Your  Joy  may  be 
more  pure  5  more  in  the  Lord,  and  in  what 
you  are  in  him  ;  tho'  lefs  in  Self,  and  fpi- 
ritual  Enjoyments  from  him.  And  your 
Zeal  Iikcwiie  may   abound  more  and  more 

b  5  & 


(3.4) 
in  Knowledge,  and  in  all  Judgment  ;  the/ 
the  firft  Flafhes  of  it  may  be  over,  which, 
ordinarily,  are  not  fo  well  regulated.  And 
thus  your  perfonal  Meetnefs  or  Preparation, 
for  Glory  increafeth  continually,  even  at 
thofe  very  Times,  and  by  thofe  very  Means 
which  feem  to  leflen  it. 

Therefore,  let  Patience  have  its  perfect 
Work,  that  ye   may  he  perfect  and  entire y 
wanting  nothing.    If  you  was  to  he  taken  to 
Glory  3before  you  had  pafs'd  thro'  the  whole: 
Courfe  of  Trials  appointed  for  you,  there 
would  be  fomething  wanting  in  your  Pre- 
paration for  it,.      The  Meafure    of  your 
Stature  in  Chrijl,  as  a  Member  of  his  Body^ 
and.  of  that  proportionable  Glory  which 
Urall  be  put  upon  you,  is  appointed  by  God 
the  Father  :.  And  the  Holy  Ghoft,  keep- 
ing this  Pattern  in  his  Eye,  is  now  work- 
ing you  \\f  into  that  Conformity  to  Chrift,, 
to  which  you  was  predeflinated,  by  all  the 
Changes  and  Trials  which  pafs  over   you, 
both  inward    and  outward  ,  in  order  to 
bring  you  up  to  that  full  Glory  referved 
for  you.     Every  Act  of  our  tried  Graces 
Jl:all  he  found  unto   Prai/e,    Honour,    and 
Glory  at  the    Appearing  of  Jcfus   Cnrifi, 
i  Pet.  i.  7.     And  were  they  to   have  no.. 
TriaJ,  how  could  they  have  an  Opportuni- 
ty of  acting  ? 

And 


( 35- r 

And*  as 'the  Holy  Ghoil  has  taken  Pof~ 
feffion  of  us,  to  Work  us  up  into    a  full 
Conformity    to  Chrif  t,  both   in    Holinefs-  • 
and    Glory  *  fo  in  carrying  it  on ,  he  oft 
works,   as  it   were,  under-ground,  out  of 
our  Sight  :    For  in  infinite  Depths  of  Wif-- 
dom,  we  are  curioufly  wrought  in  fecret;< 
fo  that  our  spiritual  Growth3and  increafing  ; 
Meetnefs  for  Glory,  are  rather  to  be  judg'd 
of  in  general,- by  Faith,  taking  in  the  De- 
claration of  God  in  the  Promiie,  Pfal.XQ\\a- 
12,   &c,    than   by    Scni&r  or  the   prefent 
felt  Exercife  of  this  or  that  fingle   Grace,  • 

And  fince  our  Lord  firft  fuffer'd,  and 
then  entred  into  his  Glcrv  ,  let  us  be 
willing  to  follow  his  Steps ,and  run*  iviw 
"Ratience  the  Race  that  is  Jet  before  us  3 
looking  unto  that  Eternal  Weight  of  Glory, 
which  our  light  Affliction  now  iwrketh  jo-r 
us.  And  in  all  our  Sufferings  according 
to  the  Will  of  God,  let  us  commit  the- keep- 
ing of  our  Souls  to  him  in  Well-doings  as  unto 
a  Faithful  Creator^,  who  will  per  fed' what 
concerns  us-,  and  not  forfake  the  Work  of 
his  own  Hands.  Yea,  let  us  value  Life, 
with  all  its  Trials,  while  it  is  continued,  as 
a  great  Bleffing ;  and  labour  to  improve  its 
as  an  Opportunity  put  into  our  Hands  to 
glorify  God  on  the  Earth  :  And  when  all 
.the  Work  is  done  upon  us,  and  by- us,  that 
B  6  was 


(36) 

was  defign'd,  and  we,  in  all  refpefls,  fully 
meetned  for  Glory,  we  fhall  not  flay  here 
a  Moment  longer,  but  be  immediately 
loved  home  unto  Chrift,  to  be  glorified 
with  him  for  ever. 

And  now,  that  you  may  be  ftrengthned 
with  all  Might,  according  to  his  glorious 
Tower,  unto  all  Patience,  and  Long- Suffering 
with  'joyfulnefs,  until  you  are  fully  made 
meet  for,  and  taken  up  into  the  Pofleffion 
of  your  Inheritance  with  the.  Saints  in 
Light,  is  the  earneft  Delire  of 

Yours  in  the  Lord,  &c. 


LETTER    VIII; 

To  a  little  handful  of  Chrift  Lambs  at 
C-~n  E— d. 

Race  and  Peace  be  multiplied  unto 
you,  from  God  our  Father,  and  our 
Lprdjefus  Chrift2by  the  Blefled  Comforter. 
Dear  Friends,  I  long  after  you  all  in  the 
Bowels  cf  Jefus  Chrift,  that  your  Hearts 
r^ight  be  comforted,  your  Hope  increafed, 
AfKi  vcur  Faith  eftablim'd  upon  Him,  the 
Rock  of  Ages,  And  having  but  little  Time 
^.fbeak  with  you  Face  to.  Face,  when  I 

was 


(37) 
was  laft  with  you,  I  was  defirous  to  have  & 
little  Converfe  with  you  by    Writing.     I 
find  Sin  is  your  great  Burden,   which  fills 
you  with  Fears,  left  you  mould  one  Day 
perifli.     But  as  to  this,  remember  that  Sin, 
all  the  Sins  of  all  that  mall  be  faved,    were 
once  laid  by  God  the  Father  upon  his  own 
dear  Son.     All  we,  like  Sheep,  have  gone 
a/tray  :  we  have  turned  every  one  to  his  own 
Way,  and  the  LORD  hath  laid  on  him  the 
Iniquity   of  us   all,   Ifa.  liii.  6.       And  as 
God  the  Father  made  all  our  iniquities  at 
once    to  meet   upon    Him,  the   fpotlefs 
Lamb  of  his  own  providing,  and  wounded 
Him  for    our   Tranfgreffions  ;  fo   Chriil 
bare  our  Sim  in  his  own  Body  on  the  Tree>7 
and  gave  uphimfelfa  Sacrifice,  in  our  Room 
and  Stead  -,  by  which  he  has  put  away  Sin, 
and  for  ever  made  an  End  of  it,  i  Pet.  ii. 
24.  Heb.  ix.  26.     And' as  he  has  deftroy'd 
Sin  in  himfelf,   and  given-  us   a  compleat 
Viclory  over  it  in  Him  -,  fo  he  will  e'er  long 
deftroy  it  in  us  perfectly,  by  the  Power  of 
his  Holy  Spirit,  in  the  Virtue  of  his  God- 
like Blood.     Our  Old  Man  was  crucified 
with  Chrift,  that  the  Body  of  Sin  might  be 
aejiroyd,  Rom.  vi.  6.     Sin  is  condemnM 
to   die,  by  the  dying  of  the  Lord  Jefus, 
and  therefore  mall  never  condemn  us.  No  -> 
tho'    Sin,    Original .  and  Actual,   has  a- 

bounded 


C  J8  ) 

Bounded  in  fuch  an  amazing  Manner,  in 
it  Guilt,  Filth  and  Power  -,  yet,  bleffed  be 
God,  where  Sin  abounded,  Grace  did  much 
more  abound  \  That  as  Sin  has  reigned  unto 
Death,  even  Jo  Grace  might  reign  thro' 
Right  eoufaefs  unto  Eternal  Life,  by  J  ejus 
Chrift  our  Lord,   Rom.  v.  20,  21. 

How  did  Sin  [abound,]  even  our  Sin, 
in  jddam's-faft.  Tranfgreffion  ?  How  has  it 
abounded  in  that  univerfal  Corruption  of 
Nature,  which  has  overfpread  the  Elect  of 
God,  as  well  as  others,  as  Defcendants  from 
fallen  Adam?  And  how  has  it  abounded 
in  all  thofe  filthy  Streams  which  this  filthy 
Fountain  has  been  fending  forth  in  all  Ages, 
in  Thoughts,  Words,  and  Ways,  even  in 
the  Chofen  of  God  themfelves  ?  How  far 
are  the  x^boundings  of  Sin,  in  thofe  refpects, 
beyond  the  Gomprehenfion  of  any  Crea- 
ture ! 

And  yet,  Where  Sin  abounded,  Grace  did 
[much  more]  abound :  When  the  LORD, 
the  Father,  took  our  Sins,  the  Sins  of  the 
whole  Elect,  and  bundled  'em  up,  as  it 
were,  into  one  Iniquity,  which  he  laid 
upon  his  dear  Son  ;  who  being  an  infinite 
Perfon,  was  well  able  to  bear  all  that  in- 
conceivable Wrath,  which  a  Sin-revenging 
God  pour'd  out  upon  him,,  as  the  due 
Defert  thereof.     By  which  he  made  a  full 

Satisfaction  ^ 


(39)\ 

Satisfaction  to  injur'd  Juftice,  and  an  eveiv- 
lafting  Peace  between  God  and  us  ->  recon- 
ciling all   the  Divine   Perfections,    which 
glorioufly  harmonize  in  the  Salvation  of 
Sinners  by  the  Blood  of  his  Crofs ;  and  re- 
conciling us  too,  in  the  Body  of  his  Flefh. 
thro'  Death,  when  he  gave  himfelf  a  Sacri- 
fice in  our  Stead.    Whereupon   God,  as  the 
God  of  Peace,  did  bring  him  again  from  the 
Dead,  or  raife  him  up  from  under  all  that. 
Guilt,  Curfe,   Wrath  and  Death  he  bore 
for  us  ;   and  thereby,  at  once,. did  openly 
acquit  and   difcharge   him,    as    a  publick 
Perfon  in  our  room  ;  and  alfo freely,  fully,, 
and  eternally  forgive  us  all  our  Tfefpaffes, 
and  raife  us  up  to  endlefs  Life  and  Glory 
in  him,   our  great  Reprefentative.     Thus 
Grace  did  much  more  abound.     Grace  was 
not  only  a  Match  for  Sin,  and  fo  could  not 
be  overcome  by  it ;   but  it   was  ftrono-er 
infinitely  ftronger  than  Sin,  and  fo  overcame, 
it,  even  to  a  compleat  and  eternal  Victory.. 
Yea,  Grace  did  much  more  abound,  not 
only  to  an  utter  Deftruclion  of  Sin,  in  its 
Reign  unto  Death  y   but  further  alfo,   in, 
bellowing  upon  us  fuch  Life  and  Glory  in 
Chrift,  as  the  Fruit  of  bis  Death,  which  is 
far  fuperior  unto  that,  we  had  in   Adam: 
Oh,  the  Super-aboundings  of  Grace  !  This 

[much 


(40) 
[much. more]  who  can  fearch  the  Dimen- 
sions of  it ! 

And  Grace  [did]  much  more  abound':  7Tis 
put  in  the  paft  Scnfe,  to  ftiew  both  the 
Earlinefs  of  it,  and  alio  the  Foundation  of 
its  After-difplay  in  Chrift,  and  glorious 
Reign  thro'  him.  Oh  the  Earlinefs  of  this 
Grace  !  How  did  it  fuper-abound  in  the 
everlafting  Purpofes,  Counfels,  and  Cove- 
nant of  the  Three- One  God,  over  all  the 
Aboundings  of  Sin,  fore-view'd  even  before 
Time  commcnc'd  !  And  this  was  the 
Foundation  of  that  bright  Difplay  whiqB 
was  made  of  it  in  the  Death  and  Refur- 
re&ion  of  Jefus  Chrift.  And  how  did 
Grace,  the  Grace  of  all  the  Three  Perfons 
in  God,  fuper-abound,  when  jefus  died  for 
our  Sins,  and  was  rais'd  again  for  our  J  uni- 
fication, and  fet  down  at  God's  right  Hand, 
as  our  Reprefentative  and  Forerunner !  For 
Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  had  an  equal 
Hand  in  thefe  Wonders  of  fuper-abound- 
ing  Grace.  The  Father  laid  Sin  upon  his 
own  Son,  and  poar'd  out  upon  him  all  his 
Wrath  -,  the  Son  bare  and  endur'd  the 
fame  ;  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  by  his  Al- 
mighty Influence,  enabled  Chrift,  as  Man, 
to  endure  the  Crojs,  and  dejpije  the  Shame , 
for  the  Joy  he  Jet  before  him.  And  all  the 
Three,  in   boundlefs  Grace  to  us,    were 

jointly 


(4i  > 
jointly  concerned  in  Chrlft's  Refurrection,. 
and  Afcenfion  to  Glory,  as  our  Head  and 
Reprefentative.  And  thus  Grace  [  did  ] 
much  more  abound,  [in]  Chrift,  as  the 
Foundation  of  its  glorious  Reign  by  him. 

Grace  did  much  more  abound ';  that  as  Si?z 
has  reigned  unto  Deaths  even  Jo  Grace 
[might]  reign  thro'  Right eoufnefs  unto  eter- 
nal Life,  by  fefus  Chrift  our  Lord.  Sin 
has  reigned  in  its  Guilt,  Filth  and  Power  : 
It  has  reigned  unto  Death,  unto  bodily 
Death,  unto  Soul-Death,  unto  Time- 
Death,  and  Eternal  Death,  which,  as  the. 
Wages' of  Sin,  is  the  due  Defert  of  every. 
Sinner.  But  Grace  reigns  unto  [Life],, 
thro'  [Righteoufnefs]  ;  the  Righteoufnefs 
of  Chrift,  or  his  compleat  Obedience,  both 
active  and  pafiive  -,  and  fo,  according  to 
the  Righteoufnefs  of  Jehovah's  pure  Nature,, 
and  his  holy  Law:  And  it  reigns  [by]  Jefus 
Chrift,  the  Anointed  Saviour,  as  our  Lord,. 
Thus  Grace  reigns  unto  Life  ;  Life  of 
Juftification,  Sandirication,  Confolation, 
and  Glorification,  and  in  all,  unto  Eternal 
Life ;  partial  and  initial  in  this  World, 
and  compleat  and  total  in  the  World  to 
come. 

Well  then,  dear  Souls,  what's  become 
of  Sin  ?  Oh,  look  to  Chrift,  once  cru- 
cify'd,  and  there  fee   Sin  compleatly  fi- 

nidi'd. 


(42) 
nlfh'd  in  him,  with  all  its  w'oful  Effecfe, 
and  for  ever  made  an  end  of.  Yea,  fee  in 
a  rifen  and  glorified  Jefus,  what  full, 
tranfcendent,  unchangeable  and  eternal  Life 
and  Glory,  God's  fuper-abounding  Grace 
has  beftow'd  upon  you  in  him  !  Here's  a 
Foundation  laid,  that  is  every  way  large 
enough  to  bear  all  that  vaft  Superftruclure 
of  our  perfonal  Salvation,  from  all  Mifery, 
unto  all  Glory,  which  one  Day  mall  be 
laid  upon  it,  when  the  whole  Elect,  being- 
compleatly  fav'd,  both  myftically  and  per- 
fonally,  in,  and  thro'  Chrifl:,  fhall  for  ever, 
-withShoutings, cry, Grace, Grace  unto  it!  Lift 
up -your  Heads  therefore,  and  be  not  afraid 
©f  the  Condemnation  of  Sin  :  It  once  reign- 
ed unto  Death  in  Chrifl:  for  you,  when  he 
died  in  your  Stead ;  and  even  fo,  Grace 
mail  reign,  by  him,  unto  Eternal  Life,  in 
your  compleat  Salvation.  Sin,  in  its  Guilty 
fhall  not  deftroy  you  :for  there  is  no  Con- 
demnation to  them  that  are  in  Chrift  J  ejus  y 
Rom.  viii.  I.  Sin,,  in  its  Filth,  ihall  not* 
make  you  lothfome  in  the  Sight  of  God:- 
for  the  Blood  of  Jefus  Chrift  his  Son,  cleanf 
eth  us  from  all  Sin,  i  John  i.  7.  Sin,  in 
its  Power,  fl:all  not  have  Dominion  over  you  y 
for  you  re  not  under  the  Law,  but  under 
Grace,  Rom.  vi.  14.  And  Sin,  in  its  Be- 
ing, fhall  not  always  abide  in  you  nei- 
ther j 


(43  ) 
ther ;  your  Heaven-born  Souls  fhall  not 
be  always  vext  with  the  Being  of  this 
hateful  Thing,  Sin  :  For  your  Spirits,  at 
the  Moment  of  Death,  fhall  be  made  per- 
fect in  Holinefs,  Heb.  xii.  23.  And  there 
fhall  be  no  Defilement,  no  unclean  Thing, 
either  in  your  Bodies  or  Souls,  when 
you  enter  into  the  new  Jerufalem,  Rev. 
xxi.  27.  You  fhall  then  be  unblameable 
in  Holinefs,  before  God  in  Lovey  Eph.  i.  4. 
Thus  gloriouily  will  Grace  reign  unto 
[Life],  over  all  that  Sin  and  Death  that 
works  in  you.  And  be  not  cafl  down, 
becaufe  you  have  no  Worthinefs :.  For  it  is 
[Grace]  that  reigns,  free  Grace,  that  feeks- 
none  of  the  Creature's  Goodnefs  to  be  a 
Motive  of  its  Reign.  Be  not  difcouraged 
by  the  Strength  of  your  Soul- Enemies  y 
for  it  is  [reigning]  Grace,  all-conquering 
Grace,  that  is  infinitely  able  to  fubdue  all 
the  Oppolition  it  meets  with.  And  let  not 
your  own  Unrighteoufhefs  hinder  your 
Faith  and  Joy  in  this  Grace  :  For"  it  reigns 
thro'  the  Righteoufnefs  of  another  ;  thro' 
thrift's  [Righteoufnefs],  not  your  own.. 
And  tho'  you  have  no  Strength  of  your- 
felves  to  do  any  thing  for  your  own  De- 
fence and  Safety,  or  for  God's  Glory  -,  yet 
this  Grace  will  do  all  for  you,  as  it  reigns 
by  JcfusChrift   our  Lord.     By  [ChriiVJ, 

not 


(    44  > 

not  yourfelves :  The  whole  of  your  Salva- 
tion is  committed  into  ChrifTs  Hand, 
not  your  own.  And  Grace  reigns  by 
Chrift,  as  [Jefus],  a  Saviour,  that  is  in- 
finitely able  to  fave  to  the  uttermofl  ;  and 
by  him  alfo,  as  [Chrift],  the  Anointed  of 
the  Father,  a  Saviour  in  Office,  that  is 
authoriz'd  and  appointed  of  God  to  work 
out  all  that  Salvation  for  his  People,  which 
Free-Grace  beftows.  And  it  reigns  alfo 
by  Jefus  Chrift,  as  [LORD]  over  all 
Creatures,,  and  Things  in  Heaven,  Earth 
and  Hell  -,  and  by  him  alfo,  as  [Our]  Lord, 
our  Head,  our  Husband ;  one  in  the  nearefl 
Relation  to  us :  Whole  Love  engageth  his 
Power,  as  well  as  his  Faithfulnefs  -y  who 
exercifeth  his  Kingly  Authority  over  all 
Things,  in  an  efpecial  manner  for  the  Good 
of  his  Church;  breaking  his  Enemies  with 
his  Rod  of  Iron  ;  and  defending,  and  go- 
verning his  People  by  the  fvveet  and  power- 
ful Scepter  of  his  Grace,  whereby  he  is 
able  to  fubdue  even  all  Things  unto  him/elf. 
What  are  all  our  Enemies  ?  Men,  Sin,  Sa- 
tan>  Death  and  the  Grave  ?  Tho'  like 
mighty  Mountains,  before  our  Zerubbabel 
they  mail  become  a  Plain  :  And  he  Jhall' 
bring  forth  the  Head-Stone  of  our  Salvation, 
by  the  fame  Free-Grace  that  laid  its 
Foundation,  to  the  endlefs  Wonder  of  Men 

and' 


I  45  ) 
and  Angels,  and  the  eternal  Glory  of  the 
Three-one  God  ;  the  exceeding  Riches  of 
whofe  Grace  will  fliine  forth  herein,  to  the 
innumerable  Ages  of  a  glorious  Eternity  ! 

But  after  all,  it  may  he,  you  will  fay, 
c  Thefe  are  glorious  Privileges  for  thofe 
c  who  are  interefted  in  'em  ;  but  how 
c  (hall  we  know  that  they  belong  to  us  I 

In  anfwer  to  this,  confider,  that  the  Per- 
fons,  over  whom  Sin  mall  not  have  Domi- 
nion, either  in  its  Guilt,  Filth,  Power,  or 
Being,  are  inch,  all  fuch,  and  none  but 
fuch,  that  are,  not  under  the  Law,  but 
under  Grace.  All  that  ever  (hall  be  faved, 
have  been,  are,  or  mall  be  brought  from 
under  the  Law,  to  fubmit  to  the  Reign  of 
Grace. 

And  thofe  Perfons  are  under  the  Law, 
(in  the  Senfe  I  here  intend  it)  who  like 
and  approve  of  the  Old  Covenant,  as  it 
makes  Doing  the  Condition  of  Life;  and 
.accordingly,  they  cleave  to  the  Works  of 
their  own  Hands,  and  endeavour  to  e- 
ftablifh  their  own  Righteoufnefs,  as  the 
Matter  of  their  Juftitication  before  God. 
Tell  fuch  Souls  of  Jefus  Chrift,  his  Blood 
and  Righteoufnefs,  and  Free-Grace  in  him, 
is  the  alone  Way  of  Salvation  ;  and  that 
Faith  in  him,  is  the  Means  appointed  of 
God  for  a  poor  Sinner's  Enjoyment  of  all 

that 


(46) 

that  Life  and  Glory  which  is  beftow'd  by 
God's  Free-Grace,  without  the  leaft  Work, 
Worth,  or  Worthinefs  in  the  Creature ; 
and  it  is  very  uniavory  to  them.  They 
don't  like  to  hear  of  ChriiYs  Righteoufnefs, 
and  God's  Free-Grace  in  him,  in  the  Point 
of  Juftificatlon,  to  the  utter  Exclufion  of 
their  own  Works.  No,  they  feek  Life,  as 
it  were,  by  the  Works  of  the  Law :  They 
can't  think,  that  what  Chrift  has  done  and 
fuffer'd,  is  fufficient  to  fave  them,  without 
they  do  fomething  themfelves,  to  add  unto 
it,  or  rather  to  be  found  in  without  it.  For 
they  like  not  the  Obedience  of  the  Son  of 
God  :  They  fee  no  Beauty  in  this  glorious 
Robe,  and  fo  reject  it  ->  and  feek  to  drefs 
themfelves  up  in  the  jilthy  Rags  of  their 
own  Righteoufnefs.  And  as  they  fee  no 
Need  of  ChrifVs  Righteoufnefs,  fo,  nor  of 
his  Strength  neither  -y  they  think,  that 
they  have  Power  in  themfelves,  to  do 
what  God  requires,  whenever  they  pleafe 
to  exert  it ;  and  fo  they  like  not,  but  reject 
Chrift  as  a  Root  of  Influence  ;  and  bring 
forth  all  their  wild  Fruit,  from,  in,  and  to 
themfelves,  under  the  Influence,  and  for 
the  End  of  the  Old  Covenant.  Thus,  re- 
jecting the  Saviour  of  God's  providing, 
they  would  fain,  in  the  Pride  of  their 
Hearts,  lave  themfelves.    And  as  for  God's 

free 


r  47 ) 

free  Sovereign  Grace  in  Chrifr,  by  which 
he  faves  a  Sinner,  without  any  of  his  own 
Works,  their  Hearts  rife  againft  it :  They 
will  not  be  beholding  to  Free- Grace  for 
Salvation  ;  but  feek  to  earn  it  by  the  Works 
of  their  own  Hands.  And  the  Souls  which 
thus  cleave  to  the  Law,  (living  and  dying 
in  fuch  a  State)  mall  be  found  under  it  at 
the  awful  Day  of  Judgment ;  and  mull 
then  hear  what  it  fpeaks  unto  them,  in  all 
the  amazing  Curfes  of  it,  and  bear  the 
Weight  of  that  inconceivable  Wrath,  which 
is  the  due  Defert  of  every  TranfgrefTor 
while  Sin,  Death,  and  Hell  have  an  eternal 
Dominion  over  them.  This  then  is  the 
Condition,  and  will  be  the  End  of  all  thofe 
who  live  and  die  under  the  Lav/.  For  by 
the  Deeds  of  the  Law  /hall  no  Flejh  be  jujli- 
Jied  in  the  Sight  of  God,  Rom.  iii.  20. 
For  as  many  as  are  0/  the  Works  of  the  Lam, 
are  under  the  Cur/e,  Gal.  iii.  jo.  And  what 
things  Jbever  the  Law  faith,  it  faith  to 
them  who  are  under  the  Law,  Rom.  iii.  1 9. 
But  then,  who  are  they  that  are  under 
Grace  ? 

The  Perfons  under  Grace  (in  the  Senfe 
I  here  intend)  are  fuch  that  are  convinc'd 
of  their  own  Infufficiency  to  fave  them- 
felves,  and  of  Ch  rift's  All-fufficiency  to 
fave  even  the  very  Chief  of  Sinners  3  which 

draws 


(4§) 

draws  out  their  Souls  into  earneft  Defires  af- 
ter Life  and  Salvation,  by  God's  Free-Grace 
in  him.  Thefe  like  and  approve  of  the 
New  Covenant,  in  which  the  Salvation  of 
Sinners  ftands  alone  upon  abfolute  Grace. 
Thefe  have  had  a  Difcovery  of  God's  Holy 
Law,  as  it  requires  perfect  and  perpetual 
Obedience,  in  Heart,  Lip,  and  Life ;  and 
upon  every  Failure,  curfeth  the  Tranf- 
greflor  :  And  m  the  Light  the  Holy  Ghoit 
fets  up  in  fuch  a  Soul,  it  fees  its  Contrariety 
to  God,  and  his  Holy  Law,  in  Heart  as 
well  as  Life  ;  it  fees  its  own  Inability  to  do 
any  Duty  in  that  perfect  manner  the  Law 
of  God  requires  -,  it  fees,  that  when  it 
would  do  Good,  Evil  is  prefent  with  it ; 
and  that  if  God  was  to  deal  with  it  accord- 
ing to  his  righteous  Law,  it  muft  perifh 
for  ever.  And  now  the  Soul  begins  to  die 
unto  the  Law,  or  to  all  Hopes  of  Life  by 
the  Works  of  its  own  Hands.  And  fur- 
ther, to  make  the  Soul  dmd  indeed  to  the 
Law,  (as  a  Covenant  of  Works)  the  Lord 
goes  on  to  reveal  his  Son,  in  fuch  a  Soul, 
as  having  been  made  under  the  Law,  to 
fulfil  all  its  Requirements,  and  fuffer  all  its 
Penalties  for  all  that  mall  be  faved  ;  where- 
by he  becomes  the  End  of  the  Law  for 
Right eou/hefs  to  every  one  that  believeth, 
Gal.  iv.  4.    Rom.  vii.  4,  and  x.  4.      And 

pro- 


(49) 

proportionable  to  the  Revelation  of  Chrift 
made  to  the  Soul,  it  fees  a  Soul-attracting, 
Heart-ravifhing   Beauty  and  Excellency  in 
him,  and  his  Salvation  ;  which  draws  it  out 
into  earneft  Defires  to  have  him  for  its  Por- 
tion, to  be  walh'd  in  his  Blood,  to  be  fup- 
ply'd  from  his  Fulnefs,   and  found  in  his 
Righteoufnefs  before  God.     Now  the  Soul 
fees,  that  if  ever  it  is  laved,  it  muft  be  by 
God's  Free-Grace  in  Chrift  5  and  proftrates 
itfelf  at  the   Throne  of  Grace,  intreating 
Divine  Mercy  to   be  extended  to  it,  as  a 
miferable  undone  Sinner.     And  it  is  like- 
wife  convinced  of  the  Neceffity  of  Faith  ia 
Chrift,  that  it  muft  believe,  or  perifh  -y  and 
accordingly,  it  locks  unto  him  alone  for 
Salvation  ;  it  attempts  to  come  to  him,  and 
reft  its  Soul  upon   him  ;  and  under  a  felt 
Senfe  of  its  own  Weaknefs,   it  cries  out, 
Lord,   I  believe ;    help  thou  mine  Unbeliefs 
Mar.  ix.  24..  Thus  it  fees  a  Need  of  Chrift's 
Strength,  as  well  as  his  Righteoufnefs  ;  and 
is  glad  that  the  Salvation  of  a  Sinner,  from 
fir  ft  to  laft,  is  all  of  one  pure  Piece  of  Grace, 
And  tho'  the  Soul  mayn't  have  full  Affu- 
rance  of  its  own  Salvation,  by  God's  Free- 
Grace  inChrift,and  fo  not  full  Joy  in  it  •  yet 
it  likes  this  Way  of  Salvation,  and  defires, 
above  all  things,  to  have  an  Intereft  in  it. 
And  a  Glixnpfe  of  it  now  and  then,  which 
C  it 


(  5°  ) 

it  gets  in  a  Promife,  or  an  Ordinance,  be- 
gets in  it  a  fecret  Hope,  and  glads  its  Heart 
more  than  if  the  whole  World  was  given 
it.     For,  when  once  the  Soul  is  remov'd 
from  an  Old  Covenant-bottom,,  if  its  Hope 
was  not  fixt  on  New  Covenant-Grace  in 
Chrjft,  it  would  utterly  fink  into  Pefpair. 
And  there  is  fuch  an  Agreeablenefs  between 
the  Principle  of  Grace  in  a  new-born  Soul, 
and  thcDoctrine  of  Grace  reveal'd  in  theGof- 
pel  ^  that  the  Soul  would  not  part  with  that 
little  Hope  it  has  of  eternal  Life  in  ChrifJ, 
for  all  the  Treafures  of  the  Univerfe.     And 
the  Souls  which  thus  cleave  to  Grace,  are 
undoubtedly   under  it  now,   and  fhall  be 
found  fo  in  the  Day  of  Chriit,  to  their  un- 
ipeakable  Joy  and  Glory. 

Well  then,  dear  Hearts,  if  you  have  not 
a  full  Aflurance  of  your  Jntereft  in  Chrift, 
and  his  Salvation  -,  yet,  if  you  defire  him 
above  all  things^  and  that  Free- Grace  would 
do  all  for  you  in  the  Matter  of  Salvation, 
you  are  certainly  under  the  Dominion  of 
Grace.  For  the  Defires  of  your  Souls, 
cleaving  to  Grace,  are  their  fubmitting 
unto  its  Reign.  And  this  Grace  that  has 
begun  to  reign  oyer  you,  will  reign  on,  not- 
withitanding  all  the  Oppofition  it  meets 
with  in  you,   even  unto  eternal  Life :,  or 

your 


(5*  ) 

your    complete    Salvation  from    Sin  and 
Death,  to  endlefs  Life  and  Glory. 

Grace  be  with  yon.     Amen. 

I  am  Tours  in  Chri/l,  5cc* 


LETTER    IX. 
To  Mrs.   L: 

Dear  Friend, 

I  Am  far  from  thinking  it  any  Trouble  to 
anfwer  your  Requeft,  in  giving  you  my 
Thoughts  concerning  thofe  Scriptures  which 
your  Mind  has  been  exercis'd  about:  For 
if  I  could  be  any  way  helpful  to  thy  Soul, 
I  mould  rejoice,  and  be  exceeding  glad. 
Take  therefore  the  following  Hints  briefly. 

John  xii.  47.  And  if  a??y  Man  hear  my 
Words ,  and  believe  not,  I  judge  him  not :  jor 
Icame  ?iot  to  judge  the  World,  but  to  fave 
the  World.  Our  Lord  in  thefe  Words  de- 
clares, That  if  any  Man  hear  his  Words ,  i.  e. 
the  Do&rine  which  Chrift,  his  Apoftles  and 
Miniflers  preach,  with  a  natural  or  exter- 
nal Hearing  only,  and  fo  believe  not  in  a 
faving  manner,  that  he  judgeth  him  not  3 
that  is,  it  was  not  Chrift's  immediate  Work 
C  2  in 


\    52) 

in  the  Days  of  his  Flefh,  nor  is  yet,  while 
the  Gofpel  is  preach'd,  to  judge  and  con- 
demn Unbelievers.  For  1  came  not  to  judge 
the  World,  (fays  he)  but  to  fave  the  World. 
Our  Lord's  firft  Coming  was  not  to  Judg- 
ment, but  to  publifh,  and  work  out  Salva- 
tion. And  while  the  Gofpel  is  preach'd,  it 
is  the  Time  of  Chrift's  hong-fuffer'uig, 
wherein  he  waits  to  be  gracious  to  poor 
Sinners :  But  when  he  fhall  appear  the  fe- 
cond  Time,  he'll  come  to  Judgment  ;  and 
then  all  thofe  who  mall  be  found  to  have 
liv'd  and  died  in  Unbelief,  as  Defpifers  and 
Rejecters  of  Chrift,  and  his  Salvation,  fhall 
be  judged  and  condemned  by  him,  with  a 
Depart  ye  Cur  fed,  into  everlajfling  Fire,  pre- 
pared for  the  Devil  and  his  Angels. 

And  now,  methinks,  this  Text  mould 
be  matter  of  Encouragement  to  thee,  in  thy 
prefent  Cafe.  Doft  thou  fee  thyfelf  to  be 
a  poor  Sinner  ?  And  art  thou  afraid  to  draw 
nigh  to  God,  or  lift  up  thine  Eyes  to  Hea- 
ven, becaufe  thou  art  fo  vile  ?  Yea,  doft  thou 
fear  that  thou  art  yet  in  a  State  of  Un- 
belief, that  thou  haft  never  yet  put  forth 
one  AcT:  of  Faith  upon  Chrift  ?  Why,  he 
did  not  come  to  condemn  thee,  to  deal 
with  thee  according  to  thy  Sins,  and  fend 
thee  to  Hell  prefently.  No,  he  came  to 
fave  Sinners,  even  the  very  Chief  of  them  : 

And 


(  53  ) 
And  he  has  wrought  out  a  full  and  com-* 
plete  Salvation,  that  is  every  way  iufficient 
for  thee ;  that  is  large  enough   to  deliver 
thee  from  all  thy  Fears,  to  fupply  all  thy 
Wants,  and  to  fatisfy  all  thy  Defires :  And 
this  Salvation  is  proclaimed  in  the  glorious 
Gofpel,  as  infinitely  free  for  the  mod  Un- 
deferving.     If  diou  haft  no   Worthineis, 
nothing  to  bring  to  God,  thou  may  ft  have 
Salvation  freely,   I/d.lv.  i.     Yea,   if  thou 
haft  a  longing  Defire  after  it,  thou  art  the 
Soul  that  Chrift  invites  to  take  thy   Fill 
freely :  If  any  Man  thirft,  (fays  he)  let  him 
come  unto  me,  and  drink,  Johnvii.  37.   And 
let  him  that  is  a  thirft,  come  :  And  whofoever 
<witt7  let  him  take  the  Water  of  Life  freely, 
Rev.  xxii.  17.     There  is  an  infinite  Fulneli 
of  Life  and  Salvation  in  the  Lord  Jefus 
Chrift,  for  the  worft  of  Sinners  >  and  there 
is  Salvation  in  no  other :  And  therefore,  if 
the  Cry  of  thy  Soul  is,  What  mujl  I  do  to 
be  faved  ?    Thou  art  commanded,  even 
Thou  in  particular,   to  believe  on  the  Lord 
Jefus  Chrift  -,  and  in  fo  doing,   thou  haft 
the  faithful  Promife  of  a  God  that  cannot 
lie,  that  thou  fbalt  be  faved,    Acts  xvi.  3  1 . 
And  Believing  is  looking  unto  Chrift  alone 
for  Salvation,   I/a.  xlv.  22.     Asking  it  of 
him,  John  iv.  10.  Coming  to  him  for  it, 
Mat.  xi.  18.     Trufting  in  his  Name,  Mat. 
C  7  xii. 


(54) 

xii.  2 1 .     and   committing    thy  Soul  into 
his  Hands,     2  Tim  A.  12.     And  wouldft 
thou  Believe  ?  Why,  venture,  in  the  fcce 
often  thoufand  Sins,  Fears,  and  Difcourage- 
ments,  to  call:  thyfelf  down  at  Jefus  Feet, 
and  fay,  with  the  poor  Leper,  Lord,  if  thou 
wiltytbou  canjl  make  me  clean ,Luke  v.  i  2.  and 
with  the  Publican,  God  he  merciful  to  me  a 
Sinner,     Luke  xviii.  13.    and  thou    (halt 
find  Grace  in  his  Sight  ,  his  Mercy  will  bicF 
thee  live ;  thou  fhalt  pafs  from  Death  to  Life y 
and?xver  come  intoGondetmiation,  John  v.  2  4. 
Philemon  xv.     For  perhaps  he  therefore 
departed j or  aSeafon,  that  thoujloouldjl  receive 
him  for  ever.     The  Apoftle  Paul,  in  thefe 
Words,  puts  Philemon  in  mind  of  the  won- 
derful  Grace  and  Providence  of  God,  in 
over-ruling  the  Departure  of  One/imus,  for 
a  Sea/on  from  him  his  Matter,  as  a  Means 
of  his  Converfion  to  Chrift,  that   fo   he 
might  receive   him  for  ever  :  Not  merely 
now    as   a  Servant,    but   as    a  Brother   in 
Chrift,  which  is  a  Relation  that  can  never 
be  diffolved.     Onefimus  was  Servant  to  Phi- 
lemon ,  he  wrong'd  his  Mafter,   ran  away,, 
and  was  brought  b  y  fome  means  or  other) 
into  the  Prifon  where  St.  Paul  was  :  Up- 
on which  the  Apoftle  preaches  Chrift,  and 
the  Word  of  his  Grace  to  this  poor  Sinner  5 
and  the  Power  of  God  accompaning  the 

Word 


(  55  ) 
Word  of  the  Gofpel,  gave  it  Entrance  in'fo' 
bis  Soul,  form'd  the  New  Creature  there, 
and  enabled  him  to  believe  in  Jefus  : 
Upon  v/hich  the  Apoftle  rejoice  th,  and 
acquaints  Philemon  with  this  wonderful 
Grace,exhorting  him  to  itc&w£Grie$musyt:&t 
now  as  a  Servant,  but  as  a  Brother  beloved  in 
the  Lord,  with  the  fame  Kindnefs  and  Joy 
he  had  us'd  to  fhew  unto  the  Apoirle 
himfelf,  who  lov'd  him  as  his  own  Saul. 

And  was  there  fuch  Grace  in  the  Heart 
of  God  towards  Onefwms  ?  What  En- 
couragement may  this  be  to  thee  ?  The 
Lord  is  as  full  of  Love  and  Bowels  now  as 
ever,  and  extends  the  fame  Free-Grace, 
and  boundlefs  CompaiTion  to  Sinners  now, 
as  then.  And  did  mighty  Grace  lay  hold 
upon  Onefimus,  when  he  was  in  the  Height 
of  his  Rebellion  ;  when  he  had  juft  added' 
Theft  to  all  his  other  Sins,  and  ran  away 
from  God,  as  well  as  from  his  Mafler  ? 
then  fure,  nothing  is  too  hard  for  reigning 
Grace ;  it  can  conquer  the  mod  rebellious' 
Creature ,  and  pardon  the  greateft  Sins, 
None  of  all  thy  Sins,  tho'  great  as  Moun- 
tains, and  numberlefs  as  the  Stars,  can 
hinder  thy  Salvation,  if  the  Lord  refolve  to 
be  gracious  unto  thee  :  No,  where  Sin  a- 
bounds,  Grace  much  more  abounds.  None  of 
thy  Sins  are  too  great  for  reigning  Grace 
C  4  to 


(  56  ) 

to  pardon,  for  omnipotent  Grace  to  fubdue. 
Grace   will  reign  glorioufly,  difplaying  its 
Riches  upon  a  Veffel  of  Mercy,  in  its  com- 
plete Salvation,  notwithstanding  all  its  Un- 
worthinefs,  and  Provocations,  its  111  Defer- 
vings,  and  Hell-defervings  -,  no  Qppofition 
fhall  ftand  before  it:  If  God  fay,  I  will  be 
gracious  to  this  or  that  Soul,  neither    Sin 
within,  nor  Men  and  Devils  without,  fhall 
hinder  its  Salvation.    Hope  therefore  in  this 
Grace  :  For  the  Lord  takes  Pleafure  in  them 
that  feqr  him,  (that  call  upon  his  Name)  in 
them  that  hope  in  his  Mercy,  Pfa.  cxlvii.  11. 
And  never  was  any  Soul  afhamed  of  its  Hope 
and  Confidence  in  God  :  No,  BleJJed  is  the 
Man  ivhofe  Hope  the  LORD  is,  jer.xvii.  7. 
Put  thy  Truft  therefore  in  the  Shadow  of 
his  Wings,  in  the  Mercy  of  God  in  Chriit, 
;".'d  thou  (hajt  never  be  afhamed  nor  con- 
founded, World  without  End,  Pfa.  xxxvi. 
7.    Ija,  xlv.  17.     Again,   did  God,   in  his 
{ill -wife  Providence,  who  works  all  Things  af- 
ter the  Counjel  of  his  own  Will,  over-  rule  the 
Departure  of  Onejimns,  to  bring  him  under 
the   Apoftle's    Preaching,  which  was  the 
Means  of  his  Convcriion  ?  Then  'tis  plain, 
that   there   is  an  appointed  Time  to  bring 
Souls  home  to  Chriit  ;  a  Day  of  Power  ^  in 
which  they  (hall  be  made  willing,  Pfa.  ex. 
3.     And  what  if  I  mould  fay,  I  hope  this 

Time 


(57) 
Time  of  Love  is  come  unto  thee,  and  this 
Work  of  Power  begun  upon  thee.  Once 
more,  did  God  over-rule  the  Departure  of 
One/imus  from  his  Matter  for  a  Seafon,  that 
fo  he  might  receive  him  for  ever,  and  that 
with  Advantage?  Even  fo,  let  me  fay,  did 
God  over-rule  his  Peoples  Departure  from 
him  in  the  Fall,  and  in  this  Time-State,  to 
commend  his  Love  the  more  in  bringing 
them  again  to  himfelf,  to  receive  them  for 
ever,  in  an  higher  Relation,  and  Glory, 
than  they  had  when  they  were  with  him 
in  their  firO  Father,  Adam.  And  what  if 
the  Lord,  in  his  Thoughts  of  Love  towards 
thee,  did  fuffer  thee  to  depart  from  him 
for  a  Seafon,  that  fo  he  might  bring  thee 
again  to  himfelf,  and  receive  thee  forever  ! 
He  tells  thee  in  his  Word,  that  thou  hail 
departed  from  him  by  Si/?,  Ezek.  vi.  9.  he 
bids  thee  return  again,  and  fays,  thou  Jhafc 
find  Mercy \  Ifa.  lv.  7.  and  has  promis'd  to 
receive  thee,  2  Cor.  vi.  17.  And  thofe 
whom  Clirift  receives,  he  receives  forever. 
Mis  Arms  ftand  wide  open  to  embrace 
thee  \  and  if  thou  art  helpt  to  return  to 
him,  he  fays,  he  will  in  no  wife  caft  thcs 
oat,  John  vi.  37.  he  will  receive  thee  to  the 
tr/ory  of  Cod,  Rom.  xv.  7.  he  will  keep  thee 
i  hit  Power  thro1  Faith  unto  Salvation ', 
1  Peter  i,  5.  and  fuffer  neither  Sin,  Men, 
C  5  nor 


(5$) 

ror  Devils  to  pluck  thee  out  of  bis  Hands, 
John  x.  28. 

2  Cor.  iv.  3.  But  if  our  Gofpel  be  hidy, 
it  is  hid  unto  them  that  are  lojl.  The  A- 
poftle  Paid,  in  thefe  Words,  fpeaking  in- 
his  own  Name,  and  in  the  Name  of  the  o- 
ther  Apoftles,calls  the  Gofpel  of  Chrift,0«r 
Gofpel ';  becaufe  it  was  the  Miniftry  which 
they  had  received  of  the  Lord  Jefus,  the  Mef- 
fage  they  were  fent  to  publi(h,and  the  glad 
Tidings  which  they  preach'd.  And  as  they, 
preach'd  the  Gofpel  of  Chrift  with  the 
greateft  Evidence,  and  cleareft  Demonftra- 
tion  ,  fo  the  Holy  Spirit  attended  their 
Miniftry,  and  made  it  the  Power  of  Godr 
unto  the  Salvation  of  Multitudes  ,  who 
receiv'd  the  Truth  in  the  Love  of  it,  upon 
the  fullefl  Conviction, and  with  the  higheft 
Afllirance.  Upon  which  the  Apoftle  utters 
thefe  Words  ,  but  if  our  Gofpel  be  hid,  it  is 
hid  unto  them  that  are  loft.  As  if  he  mould 
lay,  '  We  have  pre.  ^hed  the  Gofpel  of  a 
**  a  Crucified,  Rifen,  and  Aicended  Savi- 
1  our,  fo  plainly,  convincingly,  and  power- 
*■  fully  ,  that  if  it  be  hid  unto  any  Souls, 
*  they  are  certainly  in  a  loft  Condition*. 
That  is,  they  are  at  prefent  Dead  in  Sins, 
they  are  not  New  Creatures ;  and  fo  have 
no  Spiritual  Eye  to  fee  the  Glory  of  Chrift 
which  brightly  mines  in  his  blefted  Gofpel ; 

they 


(59) 
they  are  under  the  Government  of  Satan, 
who  blindeth  their  Minds  ;  they  are  (till  in 
the  State  wherein  they  were  born,-  going 
affray  from  God,  and  not  yet  returned  to 
the  Shepherd  and  Bifiop  of  Souls:  Again, 
if  the  Gofpel  be  always  hid  unto  any  Soul?, 
they  are  fuch  which  are  irrecoverably  loft ; 
if  after  all  the  preaching  of  Salvation  byjefus 
Chrift, there  be  any  that  live  and  die  ignorant 
of,  and  in  enmity  to  the  glorious  Gofpel, 
they  are  certainly  fuch  who  perifhfor  ever, 
And  now,  if  thou  fhouldft  be  afraid, 
that  thou  art  at  prefent  in  a  loft  Condition  ; 
yet,  were  it  fo,  thou  art  not  in  a  hopelefs 
Condition.  For  all  the  Chofen  of  God,  who 
are  now  found  by  the  great  Shepherd,  and 
called  to  be  Saints,  were  once  in  a  loft  State 
byNature,as  well  as  thee.  AUChrift's  Sheep, 
which  his  Father  gave  him,  went  aftray  by 
Sin ;  and  turning  every  one  to  his  own  Way, 
they  loft  and  deftroy'd  themfelves ;  or  brought 
themfelves  into  fuch  a  miferable  Condition, 
that  they  were  utterly  undone :  And  had 
neither  Will,  Skill,  nor  Power  .to  deliver 
themfelves  from  that  perifhing  State  in 
which  they  were  involved.  Bat  fuch  was 
the  infinite  Grace  of  God  the  Father,  that 
he  laid  their  Sins  upon  his  own  Son  -y  and 
uich-  the  boundlefs  Grace  of  Ghrift,  that 
C  6  he- 


<  6o  ) 

died  for   them,   in  their  ftead,    to    bring 
them  again   to  God  \    and  fucSi  is   the  a- 
ftonilhing  Grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit,    that 
he  quickens  'em  when  dead  in  Sins,  gives 
them  to  fee  their  own  Mif'ery,  and  Chrift's 
Excellency,  and  brings  them  home  to  him, 
their  great   Shepherd.     Art  thou  loft  ?   it 
was   Such   Chrift  came  to  Jeek  a?id  fave, 
Luke  xix.  10.  And  hegoeth  after  that  which 
is  loft  until  he  findeth  it,   and  when  he  hath 
found  it  he  layeth  it  on  his  Shoulders, and  bring- 
eth  it  home  rejoicing  ;  faying  to  his  Friends 
ana  Neighbours,  the  Saints  and  Angels,r*/0/££ 
with  me,  for  I  have  found  my  Sheep  which 
was  loft.     Luke xv.  4,  5,  6.     Chrift   took 
fuch  Pleafure  in  faving  loft  Sinners,  that  he 
died  for  them,  that  fo  he  might  accomplish 
it ;    yea,  he  now  lives  in  Heaven  to  inter- 
cede for  them  ;  and  when,  as  a  Fruit  there- 
of, they  are  brought  home  to  Ids  Fold,  he 
rejoiceth    over  'em  to    fave  them    to    the 
uttermo/i.     Therefore  be  not   difcourag'd, 
for  if  thou  art  loft,  Chrift  can  find  thee, 
and  if  thou  haft  no  Power  to  return,  he  can 
lay  thee  on  his  Shoulders,   and  bring  thee 
Home  ,  yea,  if  thy  Cafe  was  fo  miferable, 
that  thou-  hadft  no  Will  to  return,   Chrift 
can  make  thee  willing  in  a  Moment  ;  for 
he  is  in  all  refpecls,  mighty  to  fave.     But  if 
lie  has  given  thee  a  Will,  a  Deiire  to  re- 
turn 


(  6i   ) 

tarn  unto  God  in  Chrift,  he  has  already 
found  thee  out,  and  laid  hold  on  thy  Heart 
by  his  Almighty  Power,  and  he'll  bring 
thee  home  to  God,  both  herein  Grace,  and 
hereafter  in  Glory,  preferring  thee  with 
exceeding  Joy.  If  he  has  given  thee  a  Sight 
of  thy  own  Mifery,  and  a  Glimpfe  of  his 
Beauty,  fo  as  to  beget  a  Defire  in  thy  Soul 
after  him,  the  Gofpel  of  Chrift  has  already 
begun  to  fhine  into  thy  Heart,  and  it 
mall  (hine  more  and  more  until  the  perfect 
Day ;  and  it  fhall  never  be  hid  unto  thee, 
as  it  is  unto  them  that  are  loft. 

i  Cor.  xv.  2.  By  which  alfo  ye  are 
Javed,  if  ye  keep  in  memoryivhat  I  preached 
unto  you,  unlefs  you  have  believed  in  vain. 
The  Apoftle  Paul,  having  preach'd  the 
Gofpel  of  Chrift  unto  the  Corinthians],  and 
particularly  the  great  and  comfortable  Do- 
ctrine of  the  Refurrcction  ;  he  here  exhorts 
them  to  a  conftant  Remembrance  thereof, 
it  being  of  fo  great  Importance.  There 
were, at  that  Time,  fome  in  the  Church  at 
Corinth ^  who  were  fo  far  fallen  away  from 
the  Doctrine  of  the  Gofpel,  as  to  deny  the 
Refurrection  of  the  Dead  ;  for  which 
Reafon  the  Apoftle  infifts  largely  upon  that 
Article  in  this  Chapter.  In  the  "fir) 'i  Vc- 
he  profefleth  to  declare  afrefh  the  -Gofpel 
that  he  had  formerly  preach'd  to  ihem, 

which 


f6z) 

which  they  had  receiv'd,  and  wherein  theyr 
profeffedly,  did  ftand.  By  which,  fays  he, 
in  this  Jecond  Verfe,  ye  are  faved,  if  ye  keep 
in  Memory  what  I  preached  unto  you,  unlej's 
ye  hav&  believed  in  vain.  It  feems  to  me,- 
thatthe  Time-Salvation  of  the  Saints,  from- 
Errors, Herefies,  and  Soul-Dinreffes,  is  what 
the  Apoftle  here  intends  ;  which  is  clofely 
connected  with  a  believing  Remembrance 
of  the  Dodtrines  of  the  Gofpel,  and  parti- 
cularly this  of  the  Refurredtion.  In  like 
manner  as  he  fays,  We  are  faved  by  Hope. 
Rom.viii.  24.  Which  is  evidently  in- 
tended of  our  Time-Salvation  :  for  in  no 
other  Senfe  can  we  be  faid  to  be  faved  by 
Hope  ;  for  when  once  we  come  to  the 
Enjoyment  of  that  Salvation  hoped  for,  the 
Exercife  of  that  Grace  ceafeth  •,.  as  he  there 
argues,  for  Hope  that  is  feen,  is  not  Hope. 
And  then  in  the  lad  Claufe,  unlefs  ye  have 
believed  in  vain,  he  fweetly  puts  them  in 
mind  how  they  did  at  firft  receive  the 
Gofpel,  and  this  Dodlrine  of  the  Refur- 
re6tion  ;  how  they  once  law  a  Glory  in 
the  Refurrection  of  Chrift  from  the  Dead, 
todifcharge  them  from  Sin,  and  raife  their 
Souls  to  Life  here,  and  theirBodies  untoLiie 
eternal,  at  the  Morning  of  the  Refurredtion. 
And,  as  if  he  mould  further  fay,  can  you 
now  eafilypart  with,  what  you  once  hVdin 

the 


(  63  ) 
the  Faith  of  ?  Have  you  believed  in  vain  ? 
Is  the   Faith  you  once  had  of  thefe  great 
Things,  become  a  light  Matter,  an  empty 
Thing  ?  Or  can  you   let    your  doctrinal 
Faith  of  the  Gofpel  lie  by  in  your  Judg- 
ments as  a  ufelefs  Thing  ?  Have  you  not 
a  continual  Need  of  exereifmg  Faith  there- 
in,  when  without  its  you  can  neither  live 
fafely  from  Herefies,  fruitfully  unto  God, 
nor  joyfully  to  your  own  Souls  ?  This  your 
Time- Salvation,   as  your  Privilege,  being 
clofely  connected  with  your  Duty,. in  a  be- 
lieving Remembrance  of  the  Doctrines  of 
the  Gofpel,   which  you  did  receive  :  This, 
in  brief,   I  take  to  be  the  Meaning  of  the 
Words.     For  there  are  none  that  believe 
in   Jefus  for  eternal  Life,  that  can  believe 
in  vain,  in  this .refpect ;  No,  they  are pajjed 
from  Death  unto  Life,  a?id  Jhall  never  conve 
into   Condemnation,     Their  eternal  Salvati- 
on is  not  uncertain,  but  abfokite  ;  It  ftands 
immovcably  fixt  upon  Chrifl,  the  unchange- 
able Rock  of  Ages,  by  the  immutable  Word 
and  Oath   of  a  God  that  cannot  lie..    John 
v,  24.  Mat.vii.  24,25.  Heb.  vi.  i8.Tit.i.  2. 
Well  then,  if  as  a  periftiing  Sinner,  thou 
fizeftjor  Refuge  to  lay  hold  on  Chrift,   the 
Hope  jet  before  thee,,  thou  (halt  be  eternally 
laved  :    Upon  thy.  firft  Act    of  Faith,  as 
foon  as  ever  thou  art  got  into  the  City  of 

Re- 


(  64  )  « 
Refuge,  thou  wilt  be  eternally  idfc,  for  ever 
out  of  all  Danger  of  everlailing  Mifery  ; 
and  as  an  Inhabitant  of  the  Rock,  thou 
mayft  fing,  beginning  the  Work  of  Praife 
here,  which  will  be  thy  eternal  Employ- 
ment in  Heaven.  And  if  it  is  the  Duty 
of  Believers  to  keep  up  a  quick  and  con-^ 
it  ant  Remembrance  of  the  glorious  Gofpel 
which  they  have  receh/d,  in  order  to  their 
Time-Safety,  Fruitfulnefs  and  Comfort  -, 
then  do  thou  alfo  labour  to  think  and  me- 
ditate upon  every  Truth  of  the  Gofpel,  e- 
very  Beam  of  Light  that  fprings  into  thv 
Mind,  under  the  preaching  or  reading  of 
the  Words  of  this  Life  :  For  this  will  be  an 
effectual  Means  to  prefervethee  from  Soul- 
Diitrefs  in  an  Hour  of  Temptation,  to 
ifrengthen  thy  weak  Hope,  and  encreafe 
thy  Joy. 

i  Cor.  xiv.  38.  But  if  any  Man  be  igno- 
rant\  let  him  be  ignorant.  It  feems,  by  the 
Coherence  of  thefe  Words,  trr,t  there 
were  fome  in  this  Church  of  Corinth,  who 
wrere  greatly  puff  *d  up  with  Pride,  and  a 
vain  Conceit  of  their  being  fpiritual,  even 
to  a  fighting  or  defpiiing  the  Dictates  of 
the  Apofde,  under  the  immediate  Infpira- 
tion  of  the  Holy  Spirit :  And  there  having 
been    fuch  abundant  Evidence  of  his  A- 

poftle- 


(  H) 

pofflefhip,  and  that  it  was  the  Truth  of 
Chriji  which  he  preach'd  and  wrote  ;  if 
after  all,  there  were  any  who  would  wil- 
fully fhut  their  Eyes  againft  the  Light, 
and  pretend  Ignorance  -y  he,  in  thefe  Words, 
refolves  to  leave  them,  and  take  no  further 
Pains  for  their  Conviction.  If  any  Man 
be  ignorant ,  let  him  be  ignorant,  'Tis  as  if 
he  mould  fay,  c  "If  after,  all  the  Signs  of 
'  an  Apoftle,  which  have  been  (hewn  in 
c  me,  and  that  abundant  Demonftration  of 
c  the  Spirit  with  which  I  preach  and  writ 
c  the  Goipel  of  Chrift.  j  any  Man  who 
1  thinks  himfelf  fpiritual,  will  not  behold 
c  my  Million  from  Chrifl,  nor  acknow- 
1  ledge  my  infalible-  Guidance  into  all 
c  Truth  by  the  Divine  Spirit  ;  let  him  re- 
i  main  juit  were  he  is,  let  him  be  ignorant 

<  m  ■< 

But  there  is  no  Reafon  for  thee  to  be 
difcourag'd  fl'om  this  Text  :  If  thou  feed 
thyfelf  to  be  an  ignorant  Creature,  and 
groans  under  it,  this  is  no  Threatning  to 
thee,  that  thou  {halt  abide  in  thy  Ignorance 
frill.  No,  •  the  Lord  J  ejus  Chrift  is  made 
of  God  JVifdom,  unto  tucli  that  have  none 
at  all.  i  Cor.  i.  30.  His  Father  has  calfd 
him  to  the  Office  of  Prophet,  on  purpofe 
to  teach  the   Ignorant,  to  open  their  blind 

Eyes ; 


(66) 

Eyes  :   Ifa.  xlii.  7.      And  he  has  promis'd 
to  bring  the  Blind  by  a  Way  that  they  knew 
not,  to  lead  them  in  Paths  which  they  have 
not  known,  to  make  Darknefs  Light  before 
them,  and  crooked  Things  ftraight.     Thefe 
things,  fays  he,  will  I  do  unto  'em,  and  not 
forjake  them,   Ifa.  xlvi.  16.     He  can  have 
Compafifion  on  the  Ignorant,  and  them  that 
are  out  of  the  Way,    Heb.-v.  2.      If  the 
High-Prieft  under  the    Law  could  have- 
Compaffion,  much  more  can  Chrift,  whofeJ 
Bowels  are  infinite.     Waft  thou  the  moft* 
ignorant  Creature  in  the  World,  Chrift  cair 
teach  thee  efficacioufly,  or  teach  thee  to* 
profit  ;  that  is,  he  can  remove  thy  Igno- 
rance, and  give  thee  the  Knowledge  of 
hhnfelf,  and  of  the  Father  in  him  ;  whom' 
tv  know  is-  Life  eternal,  John  xvii.  3 .     If 
Chrift  teach  thee  to  profit,  he  will  do  it  as' 
the  LORD  thy  God  by  a  creating  Power, 
Ifa.  xlviii.  17.    If  Chrift  will  fhine  into  thy 
Heart,  to  give  thee  the  Light  of  the  Know- 
ledge of  the  Glory  of  Gody.  as  the  God  of 
all  Grace  in  him,  thy  Darknefs  fhall  flee 
before  it.     If  he  fay  but  the  Word,   Let- 
there   be  Light ,    as   he  did  in  the  firft 
Creation,  immediately  the  Light  appears, 
and  the  darkeft  Soul  is  made  Light  in  the 
Lord.     Be  enccurag'd  therefore,  to  come 
unto  him  under  all  thy  apprehended  Dark- 

nefs5. 


(67) 

nels,  and  can:  thyfelf  down  at  his  Feet,1 
and  lay,  What  I  know  not,  teach  thou  me> 
Job  xxxiv.  32.  For  he  is  infinitely  able 
to  fave  thee,  in  this  refpect,  to  the  utter- 
moji.  In  him  are  hid  all  the  Treafures  of 
Wifdom  and  Knowledge  :  His  Wifdom  is 
infinite,  his  Power  Almighty,  and  his  Com- 
panions boundlefs.  And  this  mighty  Sa- 
viour, is  a  Saviour  in  Office,  it  is  his 
Office  to  teach  poor  Sinners  that  are  igno- 
rant $  and  he  is  good  and  upright,,  and  he 
will  do  it,  P/al.  xxv.  8.  He  will  teach 
Sinners,  becaufe  of  the  infinite  Goodnefs  of 
"his  Nature,  and  becaufe  he  is  upright  alfo, 
or  faithful  to  him  that  appointed  him, 
and  to  his  own  Engagements  alfo,  by 
Covenant  and  Pronvife  :  And  never,  did 
any  Soul  periffi  for  want  of  Knowledge, 
that  waited  upon  him  for  teaching  ;  no, 
he'll  make  the  Way  of  Life  fo  plain,  that 
a  way-faring  Man,  thd.  a  Fool,  Jhall  not  err 
therein,  Ifa.  xxxv.  8. 

The   Grace  of  Chrift  be  with  thy  Spirit. 

I  am  Thine  in  Him,  &c. 


E  T- 


(  63  ) 

LETTER     X. 

To  Mrs.  S. 

Dear  Friend, 

Aving  heard  how  the  Tempter  made 
ufe  of  that  Word,  Hap.  ii.  4.  to 
iiflrefs  thy  Soul,  it  was  on  my  Heart  to 
write  a  few  Lines  to  acquaint  thee  with 
what  I  take  to  be  the  Meaning  thereof. 
Behold,  his  Soul  which  is  lifted  up,  is  not 
upright  in  him.  The  Intent  of  the  Holy 
Ghoft  in  thefe  Words,  is,  to  fet  forth  the 
perlfhing  State  of  an  Unbeliever  :  And 
here  is,  1.  A  Defcription  given  of  him, 
that  he  is  fuch  an  one  whofe  Soul  is  lifted 
up.  And,  2.  Here  is  a  Declaration  made 
concerning  him,  that  his  Soul  is  not  up* 
right  in  him. 

The  Perfon  that  is  here  faid  to  be  lifted 
up,  is  fuch  an  one  that  is  lifted  up  in  Pride, 
or  a  vain  Conceit  of  the  Sufficiency  of  his 
own  Righteoufnefs  to  ftand  in  before  God, 
and  to  fcreen  him  from  his  vindictive 
Wrath.  It  is  fuch  an  one  that,  Pharifee 
like,  exalteth  himfelf,  commends  his  own 
Righteoufnefs,  and  dares  to  plead  it  before 
God,  as*the  Caufe  why  his  Wrath  mould 

turn 


(69  ) 

turn  away  from  him.  Thus  there  were 
fome  among  God's  profeffing  People  of 
old,  who,  being  lifted  up  in  a  Conceit  of ' 
their  own  Righteoufnefs,  pleaded  their  In- 
nocence, as  the  Caufe  why  his  Anger  fhould 
turn  from  them.  But  this  their  Confidence 
in  their  own  Righteoufnefs,  and  of  their 
Deliverance  upon  that  Bottom,  the  Lord 
tells  them  that  he  rejected,  and  that  he 
would  plead  with  them,  becanfe  they  [aid 
'they  had  not  finned \  Jer.  ii.  35,  37.  Thus 
an  Unbeliever  is  here  defcrib'd,  as  one  who, 
in  this  Senfe,  is  lifted  up.  And  then  we 
have 

The  Declaration  that  is  made  concerning 
him  -y  Behold^  fays  the  Lord,  look  upon 
the  Man  that  is  thus  lifted  up,  his  Soul  is 
not  upright  in  him.  It  is  a  legal  Upright- 
nefs  that  is  here  intended  :  And  it  is  as  if 
the  Lord  fhould  fay,  c  In  vain  doth  that 
c  Soul  plead  his  own  Righteoufnefs  for  De- 
'  liverance  from  my  avenging  Juftice,  who 
c  cleaves  to  the  Works  of  the  Law,  as  the 
'  Matter  of  his   Ju unification  before  me  : 

•  For  fuch  is  the  Purity  of  my  holy  Law, 

*  that  it  will  find  innumerable  Faults  with 
c  his  pretended  Obedience  5  the  Crooked- 
c  nefs  thereof  will  abundantly  appear,  when 
c  compar'd  with  the  Straightnefs  of  that 
c  perfect  Rule.     And  fuch  is  the  Striclnefs 

■  of 


(  7°  ) 

f  of  my  Juftice,  that  to  vindicate  my  own 

*  Honour,  I  muft  pour  out  my  Wrath, 

*  according  to  all  the  Curfes  of  my  righte- 
1  ous  Law,  upon  that  Soul  who  dares  to 

*  truft  in  his  own  imperfed:  Obedience,  in. 

*  thejilthy  Rags  of  his  own  Righteoufnefs : 

*  his  Soul  is  not  upright  in  him;  and 
c  therefore  his  external  Obedience  can't  be 
f  fo.     My  Law  requires  Soul-Uprightnefs, 

*  or  perfect  Conformity  in  Heart,  Lip,  and 

*  Life,  in  that  Perfon  who  will  be  juftified 
c  thereby :  And  fince  his  Soul  is  not  up- 
f  right,  it  will  Condemn  him,  and  he  mufl 
1  die  the  Death,  who  will  dare  to  ftand  at 

*  the  Bar  of  my  Juftice,  to  be  try'd  by  my 

*  holy  Law  \  And  that  this  is  the  De- 
claration the  Lord  here  makes  concerning 
an  Unbeliever,  or  the  Soul  that  is  lifted  up, 
is  plain  from  the  oppofite,  or  what  ftands 
oppos'd  to  this,  in  the  latter  Part  of  the 
Verfe  ;  But  the  Juftfiall  live  by  his  Faith  : 
Efpecially,  if  we  look  upon  this  Text,  as 
quoted  by  the  Apoftle,  to  prove,  that  the 
Juftification  of  a  Sinner  before  God,  ftands 
alone  in  his  Free-Grace,  thro'  the  imputed 
Righteoufnefs  of  Chrift,  to  the  utter  Ex- 
clusion of  the  Works  of  the  Law  in  that 
Point,  Gal.  iii.  1 1 .  But  that  no  Man  is 
justified  by  the  Law  in  the  Sight  of  Cod,  it 

u 


(7i  )  ' 
h  evident :  For,  The  Juft  flail  live  by  his 
Faith. 

The  Juft].  There  is  no  Way  for  a 
'Sinner  to  be  juft  with  God,  but  by  the 
Blood  and  Righteoufnefs  of  Chrift.  And 
in  this  Way,  God  can  be  Juft,  and  yet  the 
fuftifier  of  him  which  believes  in  jfefits^ 
that  defires  to  be  found  in  him,  and  looks 
for  Salvation  from  him  alone,  Rom.  Hi.  26* 

Shall  live].  The  eternal  Life,  or  Sal- 
vation of  a  Sinner,  ftands  alone  in  God's 
Free-Grace,  thro*  the  Blood  and  Righte- 
oufnefs of  Chrift,  Eph.  i.  7.  In  whom  we 
have  Redemption  thro'  his  Bloody  the  For- 
givenefs  of  Sins,  according  to  the  Riches  of 
his  Grace.  Rom.  v.  1.9,  20,  21.  For  as 
■by  one  Man's  Dijobedience,  many  were  made 
Sinners  ;  Jo  by  the  Obedience  of  one  JJiall 
many  be  made  righteous.  Moreover,  the 
Law  enter  d,  that  the  Offence  might  abound: 
But  where  Sin  abounded,  Grace  did  much 
more  abound :  that  as  Sin  hath  reigned  unto 
Death,  even  Jo  Grace  might  reign  throy 
Righteoufnefs,  unto  eternal  Lije,  by  Jejus 
Chrift  our  Lord. 

By  his  Faith],  Or  that  which  his  Faith 
lays  hold  of.  For  when  the  Lord  is  about 
to  make  any  Soul  a  Partaker  of  this  Salva- 
tion, he  fhews  it  its  own  Sinfulnefs  and 
Mifery,    and  that  it  is  utterly  jmpoffible 

for 


(    72    ) 

for  it  to  be  faved  by  the  Works  of  the 
Law,  or  by  its  own  Obedience  to  the  Law  ; 
becaufe  it  can  do  nothing  iii  that  perfect 
Manner  which  the  Law  of  God  requires ; 
and  therefore  inevitably   comes  under  the 
Curfe  for  every  Failure  :  upon  which  the 
Soul  dies   unto  all  Hope  of  Life  by  the 
Works  of  the  Law  :  And  then  he  opens  to 
it  a  Way  of  Life,  that  in  all  refpeds  fuits  an 
undone  Sinner,   by  his  Free-Grace,  thro*  a 
cruciiied  and  rifen  Jefus  -,  and  begets  Faith 
in  the  Soul,  or    a  fecret  Perfuafion  that 
there  is  enough  in  Chrift,  and  what  he  has 
done,  to  fave  it.     Whereupon,  the  Soul 
ventures  into  Chrift,  tho'  it  fees  itfelf  over- 
fpread  with  Sin,  as  with  a  Leprofy,  and 
fays,  Lord,  if  thou  ivilt^  thou  canft  make  me 
clean.     And  the  Lord,  to  /hew  his  infinite 
Grace,  as  well  as  his   Ability  to  fave,  im- 
mediately fays,  I  will,  be  thou  clean,  Luke 
v.  12,  13.      By  which  he   conveys  a  full 
and  everlafting  Salvation  to  that  Soul.  And 
thus  the  fujt  frail  live  by  his  Faith.      For 
unto  him  that  worketh  not>  that  brings  none 
cf  his  ownWorks  to  juflify  him  beforeGod; 
but  believeth  on  him  that  jujiifieth  the  Un- 
godly ;  that  draws  nigh1  to  God  upon  his 
Throne  of  Grace,  and  pleads  the  Extenfion 
of  his  Mercy  and  Grace  thro*  his  own  Son  ; 
his  Faith  is  counted  for  Right eoujnefs,  or 

that 


(  73  ) 
that  which  his  Faith  lays  hold  on,   the 
Blood  and  Righteoufnefs  of  Chrift,   God 
the  Father  imputes  or  reckons  unto  him, 
as  the  Matter  of  his  Juftificaticn,  and  de- 
clares his  Acceptance  of  him,  and  Well- 
pleafednefs  with  him  in  his  dear  Son,  Rom. 
iv.  5.     Thus  the  Jujl  pall  live  by  his  Faith, 
in  refpect  of  Justification  :  For  that  Soul 
that  looks  for  all  its  Acceptance  with  God, 
by  his  Free-Grace,    thro'   his  dear  Son, 
ilia  11  never  die  j  but  is  pa  fed  from  Death 
unto  Life,   John  v.  24.     And  the  juftified 
Soul,   having  an  indefeafible  Right  to  all 
that  immeafurable  Fulnefs  of  Life  in  Chrift, 
it  is  its  Duty  and  Privilege  to  live  by  Faith 
in  refpect  of  Expectation  ;  looking  for  a 
continual    Communication  of  Life  out  of 
Chrift's  Fulnefs,  for  the  full  Supply  of  all 
his  Wants,  thro'  Time,  and  to  Eternity: 
And  in  this  refpect,  it  is  to  live  by  Faith, 
until  Faith  is  lwallow'd  up  in  Vifion.     In 
thefe  Words  then,  we  have  two  Sorts  of 
Peribns  fpoken  of,  Believers,  and  Unber 
lievers  ;  the  one  lifted  up  In  a  Conceit  of 
their  own  Righteoufnefs ;  the  other  juft, 
or  juftified  in  Chrift's  ;  and  the  End  of  the 
One,  which  is  Death,  imply'd,  in  that  he 
is  not  upright,  and  fo   under  the   Law's 
Curfe;  and  of  the  other,  which  is  Life, 
declar'd,  Behold,  his  Soul  which  is  lifted  up, 
D  is 


(74) 

is  not  upright  in  him  •>  But  the  Juft  J7:a/l 
live  by  his  Faith. 

And  now,  dear  Soul,  it  is  evident,  that 
it  was  the  Father  of  Lies  who  apply'd  thefe 
Words  unto  thee,  to  afflict  and  diftrefs  thy 
Heart :  He  apply'd  'em  to  the  wrong  Per- 
fon  ;  fince  thou  waft  not  lifted  up  in  a 
Conceit  of  thy  own  Righteoufnefs,  but  in 
the  Hope  of  God's  free  Mercy,  thro*  the 
Blood  and  Righteoufnefs  of  his  Son.  And 
in  this  thou  needeft  not  fear  being  lifted  up 
too  high.  No,  poor  Soul,  haft  thou  been 
humbled  in  the  Duft,  under  a  Senfe  of  thy 
own  Vilenefs  ?  Thou  art  then  that  Valley 
which  the  Lord  has  promis'd  to  exalt. 
xl.  4.  Haft  thou  no  Righteoufnefs  of  thy 
own,  and  fo  art  low  in  thy  own  Eyes  ? 
Thou  mail  be  exalted  in  Chrift's,  Pfal 
Ixxxix.  16.  And  as  thy  Perfon  is  exaited 
in  this,  far  out  of  the  Reach  of  all  thy 
Soul- Enemies  ;  fo,  in  the  Lord's  time,  thy 
Faith  alfo  mall  be  exalted,  and  thou  malt 
rejoice  in  his  Name  all  the  Day-long.  Go 
on  therefore  in  the  Strength  of  the  Lord, 
?naking  mention  of  his  Right  eoiifnefs,  even  of 
his  only  :  And  fear  none  of  thy  Enemies, 
Sin,  Men,  nor  Devils :  For  none  of  them 
ihall  be  able  to  condemn  thy  Soul,  to  pluck 
thee  out  of  ChriiVs  Hands,  or  feparate  thee 
from  his  Love  ;  which  is  better  than  Life 

natural^ 


(75  ) 

natural,  and  in  which  there  is  Life  for  thee, 
both  fpiritual,  and  eternal.  And  whoever, 
or  whatever  would  difcourage  thee,  Chrift 
bids  thee  to  rejoice  in  him,  and  that  always, 
Phil.  iv.  4.  Chrift  got  the  Victory  over  all 
thy  Soul-Enemies,  by  the  Strength  of  his 
mighty  Arm  ;  and  he  gives  it  unto  thee, 
Col.  ii.  14,  15.  Pfal.  xcviii.  1.  1  Cor.  xv. 
57.  Rejoice  therefore  in  his  mighty  Con- 
queft ;  for  thou  divideft  the  Spoil. 

And  fear  none  of  thofe  Things  which 
thou  may'ft  fuffer    from  the    Malice  of 
Satan  in  any  of  his  wicked  Inftruments : 
For   if  thou  fhouldft  have  Tribulation  ten 
Days,   during  the  Time  appointed  of  the 
Lord  -,  as  he  bounds   their  Rage,  fo  he'll 
over-rule  thy  Sufferings  for  his  own  Glory, 
and  thy  Good  •  while  thy  light  AffliBion 
which  is  but  for    a  Moment,    worketb  for 
thee  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  Weight 
of  Glory,  2  Cor.  iv.  17.     Reckon  therefore, 
that  the  Sufferings  of  this  prejent  Time,  are 
not  worthy  to  be  compard  with  the  Glory 
which  Jhall  be  revealed  in  thee.     Rom.  viii. 
18.     Rejoice  that  thou  art  counted  worthy 
to  fuffer  Shame  for  his  Name :  For  if  we 
Juffer  with  him,  we  Jljall  affo  be  glorified  to- 
gether.    Be  faithful  therefore  unto  Death  ; 
and  Chrift  will  give  thee  a  Crown  of  Life, 
Rev.  ii.  10. 

D  2  Into 


(76  ) 

,  }Into  Chrift's  Arms  I  commit  thee,  to 
fupport,  defend,  and  embrace  thee,  while 
parting  thro*  a  World  of  Trials,  until  he 
bring  thee  home  unto  himfelf,  to  be  for- 
ever with  him  to  behold  his  Glory  \  and  reft, 
with  dear  Love, 

Thine  hi  Him,  &c. 


LETTER    XI. 
To  Mrs.  G. 

Dear  "Friend, 

HAving  heard  of  thy  Soul-Diftrefs,  and 
thy  Fear  left  the  Promifes  of  God 
do  not  belong  te  thee,  I  was  willing  to 
write  a  few  Lines  unto  thee.  And  if  thou 
haft  feen  thy  loft  Condition  by  Sin,  that 
thou  art  forever  undone  without  an  In- 
tereft  in  Chrift,  and  haft  a  Delire  to  be 
faved  by  him  alone  ;  there  is  a  full  and 
e  rerlafting  Salvation  in  Chrift  prepar'd  for 
thee,  which  thou  art  call'd  to  receive  free- 
ly. This  is  a  faithful  Saying,  and  worthy 
of  all  Acceptation,  that  J  ejus  Chrift  came 
into  the  World  to  fave  Sinners,  (fays  the 
Apoftle)  of  whom  I am  chief \  i  Tim.  i.  i£. 
If  thou  feeft  thy  felf  to  be  a  chief  Sinner, 

it 


<  77  ) 

it  was  fuch  Chrift  came  to  fave.  If  thou 
labour  under,  and  art  heavy  laden  with  Sin  ; 
it  is  thee,  in  particular,  that  Chrift  calls  to 
come  unto  him,  and  has  promised  to  give 
thee  Reft,  Mat.  xi.  28.  *  Aye,  fayft  thou, 
*  if  I  had  an  intereit  in  the  Promifes,  I 
c  fhould  think  myfelf  happy  \  Whys 
poor  Soul,  all  that  Life  and  Salvation  for 
Sinners,  which  is  declared  in  the  Promifes, 
is  fummed  up  in  Chrift.  Lay  hold  there* 
fore  upon  him  by  Faith,  who  is  the  Hope 
Jet  before  thee  in  the  Gofpel,  as  infinitely 
free  for  the  worft  of  Sinners  5  and  thou 
may  ft  lay  claim  to  all  the  Promifes,  For  all 
the  Promifes  of  God  are  in  him  ;  yea,  and 
in  him,  Amen.     2  Cor.  u  20. 

They  are  all  of  them  fin]  him.  And 
that  Soul  that  looks  unto  Chrift  alone  for 
Salvation,  believeth  in  him,  is  entred  into 
him  as  its  City  of  Refuge,  its  Place  of  De- 
fence, and  Soul-Reft.  And  there  it  is  well 
provided  for,  exceeding  fafe,  and  eternally 
iecure  :  For, 

[All]  the  Promifes  of  God  are  in  him, 
yea.  Perhaps  thou  feeft  a  Glory  in  a  parti- 
cular Promife,  and  think'ft,  Oh  how  glad 
mould  I  be  if  this  Promife  was  mine  ! 
Why,  if  thou  haft  a  Defire  to  be  found  in 
Chrift,  thou  art  in  him  ;  and  fo  all  the 
Promifes  are  thine  :  not  oae,  two,  or  three 
D  3  only, 


only,  but  all  the  Promifes  of  God :  Not 
a  Promife  in  the  Bible,  but  belongs  to  that 
Soul,  who  commits  kfelf  into  the  Hands  of 
Chrift  to  be  faved  by  him.  Haft  thou 
done  fo  ?  thou  art  rich  enough  :  Thou 
haft  all  that  thou  canft  defire  >  yea,  and 
infinitely  more.  For  Eye  hath  not  feen, 
nor  Ear  heard,  the  glorious  things  which 
God  hath  prepared  tot  that  Soul,  who  runs, 
as  a  perifhing  Sinner,  into  the  Name  of 
Chrift  as  the  mighty  Saviour,  to  fhelter  it- 
felf  in  him,  who  is  an  Hiding-place  from 
the  Wind,  and  a  Covert  from  the  Storm 
of  divine  Vengeance.  If  thou  haft  ever 
put  forth  one  Act  of  Faith  upon  Jefus,  or 
caft  one  Look  unto  him  for  Life  \  thou 
haft  Chrift,  and  eternal  Life  in  him  ;  all 
the  Promifes  of  God  are  thine  ;  and  thy 
Riches,  in  that  one  great  Promife  of  the 
new  Covenant,  2  Cor,  vi.  16.  I  will  be  their 
God,  are  infinitely  greater  than  Man  or 
Angels  can  reckon  up. 

And  as  all  the  Promifes  of  God  meet  in 
Chrift,  fo  they  arc  in  him  [yea]  :  They  all 
agree,  as  with  one  united  Voice,  to  grant 
that  full  and  comprehenilve  Salvation, 
which  is  in  Chrift,  to  every  believing  Soul, 
with  one  Tea.  They  are  not  Tea  and  Nay; 
fome  of  them  Tea,  and  others  Nay  ;  but 
in  him  they  are  all  Tea,     And  as  they  are 

all 


(  79  ) 
all  Tea  in  Chrift,  fo  in  him  they  are  always' 
Tea  -,  not  lea  at  one  time,  and  Nay  at  an- 
other ;  but  a  fixed,  eternal  Tea. 

And  as  all  the  Promifes  of  God  are  in 
Chrift,  Yea,  as  they  are  all,  and  always  of 
one  Mind  in  the  Grant  of  Salvation  unto 
every  one  that  believeth  in  Jefus ;  fo  like- 
wife  they  are  all  of  them  in  him,  Amen. 
They  all  ftand  in  him  confirmed,  with 
God's  So  let  it  be,  or  So  it  (hall  be  ;  which 
efficacioufly  produceth  all  the  Salvation 
granted.  And  fince  all  the  Promifes  of 
God,  are  in  Chrift,  Amen  ;  there  is  an  ab- 
folute,  infallible  Certainty  of  the  Perform- 
ance of  all  the  good  Things  which  the 
Lord  hath  fpoken.  Then  furely  the  Heirs 
of  Promife  may  have  Jlrong  Confolation. 

But  it  may  be,  thou  wilt  fay,  c  I  fear 
*  I  am  not  one  of  the  Heirs  of  Promife  \ 
Well,doft  thou  fee  thyfelf  to  be  a  perifhing 
Sinner  ?  Doft  thou  know  that  there  is  Sal- 
vation in  Chrift  ?  And  haft  thou  a  Defire 
after  it  ?  Why,  then  ask  him  for  it ;  and 
he  will  in  no  wife  fend  thee  away  empty. 
If  thou  knew  eft  the  Gift  of  God,  ffaid  our 
Lord  to  the  Samaritan  Woman)  and  who  it  is 
that  faith  nnto  thee,  Give  me  to  Drink,  thou 
woiddft  have  asked,  and  he  would  have  given 
thee  living  Water,  John  iv.  10.  Then  open 
D  4  thy 


(8a) 

thy  Mouth  wide ;  for  he  has  promised  to 
Jill  it  >  Pfal.lxxxiv.  10.  Thou  needeft  not 
be  afraid  of  asking  more  Grace  than  Chrift 
has  to  beftow,  or  is  willing  to  give  to  the 
moil  Unworthy,  the  very  Chief  of  Sinners. 
And  never  did  any  Soul  ask  Chrift  for  the 
Water  of  Life,  Grace  here,  and  Glory  here- 
after, but  he  gave  it  its  Fill  freely.  Ask 
therefore,  and  thou  (halt  receive-,  feeky 
and  thou  (halt  find ;  knock ,  and  it  fbalt 
he  ope?i'd  unto  thee,  Mat.  vii.  7.  For 
Chrift  lives  in  Heaven  on  purpofe  to  fave 
them  to  the  uttermoft,  who  come  unto  God 
by  him,  Heb.  vii.  25. 

And  now,  that  you  may  be  enabled 
to  flee  for  Refuge  to  lay  hold  on  Chrift,  the 
Hope  Jet  before  you,  and  as  an  Heir  of 
Prcmtje  have  ftrong  Conflation  in  him,  in 
whom  all  the  Promijes  of  God  are  Tea  and 
Amen,  to  the  Glory  of  God  by  us,  is  the  ear- 
ned Delire  of 

Tour  loving  Friend  in  the  Lordy  &c„ 


L  ET- 


(8r) 

LETTER.     XII. 

To  Mr.  L, 

Dear  Siry 

GRace,  Mercy  and  Peace  be  multipli- 
ed unto  you,  from  God  the  Fa- 
ther, and  from  Jefus  Chrift,  by  the  blefled 
Spirit. 

You  told  me,  to  the  Joy  of  my  Heart, 
that  you  hop'd  Chrift  was  precious  to  your 
Soul.  And  if  thou  haft  ieen  thy  own 
Mifery  by  Sin,  that  thou  art  for  ever  un- 
done without  him  -,  and  haft  alfo  had  a 
Glimpfe  of  his  Glory ,  Excellency ,  and 
Suitablenefs  as  the  alone  Saviour,  he  is 
precious  indeed  unto  thee,  the  Chicfejt  r>/' 
ten  tkoufand  in  thy  Efteem.  Whatever  Ga- 
thers think  of  Chrift,  thou  haft  high  and 
honourable  Thoughts  of  him,,  and  of  what 
he  has  done  and  iuffer'd  for  the  Salvation 
of  Sinners,  and  of  what  he  is  now  doing 
for  them  in  Heaven,  where  he  ever  lives 
as  an  Interceflbr,  to  fave  them  to  the  ut- 
termoft  who  come  unto  God  by  him.  Yea, 
has  not  thy  Soul  fell  down,  and  ador'd  him, 
in  thofe  happy  Moments  wherein  thou  haft 
beheld  his  Glorv  ?  And  has  not  a  Sight  of 
D  5  hh 


(  3z) 
his  Beauty  wrought  in  thee  Soul-endear- 
ing Thoughts  of  this  lovely  Jefus  ?  And 
tho' ;  perhaps,  thou  couldft  not  fay,  this 
is  my  Beloved,  and  this  is  my  Friend  -y  with 
a  full  Perfualion  that  he  was  thy  Saviour  -y 
yet,  has  not  a  Glimpfe  of  his  Excellency 
attracted  and  drawn  out  thy  Soul  into 
earned  Longings,  Pantings,  and  Breathings 
dfter  him,  and  an  Intereft  in  him,  as  the 
Sum  of  all  that  Happinefs  thy  Soul  could 
crave,  both  in  this  World  and  in  that 
which  is  to  come  ?  I  know,  it  is  fo  with 
thofe  Souls  that  fee  Jefus,  juft  in  thofe 
Moments  in  which  his  Glory  is  prefented  to 
their  Eye.  And  has  it  been  thus  with 
thee  ?  Haft  thou  ever  had  fuch  a  Glimpfe 
of  Chrift,  that  drew  thy  Soul  after  him, 
and  made  thee  cry,  c  Lord,  give  me  Chrift, 

*  whatever  thou  denieft  me   of:  Let  me 

*  have  him  for  my  Portion  ;  and  as  to  other 

*  things,  deal  with  me  as  thou  pleafeft  :  A 

*  World,  without  Chrift,  will  not  fatisfy 
(  me  :  Give  me  Chrift,  and  I  have  enough ! * 
If  thefe  are  the  Breathings  of  thy  Heart, 
thou  art  a  Believer,  whether  thou  know'ft 
it,  or  not.  And  Chrift  is  thine,  everlaftingly 
thine  ;  and  neither  Sin,  Death,  nor  Hell 
mail  feparate  thee  from  his  Love.  Thou 
art  exceeding  fafe,  and  mayft  be  very  joy- 
ful :  For  in  having  Chrift,  thou  haft  Life ; 

Life 


(  §3  ) 
Life  of  Grace,  and  Life  of  Glory.  All 
Things  are  thine  :  Thou  flialt  have  all  that 
Happinefs,  both  for  Soul  and  Body,  which 
God  fees  beft  for  thee  in  this  World,  and 
a  boundlefs  Ocean  of  Joy  and  Glory  be- 
yond it,  to  a  never-ending  Eternity.  Haft 
thou  committed  thy  Soul  into  ChrifVs 
Hands  ?  Thou  art  his  Care  :  Thou  art 
ChrifVs,  not  thy  own  :  He  has  taken  the 
Charge  of  thee  ;  and  as  fuch,  he'll  keep 
thee  fafe,  defend  thee  from  all  Dangers, 
irrengthen  thy  Grace,  and  meeten  thee  for 
Glory.  He  will  preferve  thee  from  fallings 
and  prefent  thee  fault lefs  before  the  Pre  fence 
of  his  Father  s  Glory  with  exceeding  Joy. 

Then  cleave  to  the  Lord  with  full  Pur- 
pofe  of  Heart  :  Go  on  venturing  thy  Soul 
in  the  Hands  of  Jefus,  trufling  in  him  when 
he  feems  to  flay  thee,  and  waiting  for  him 
when  he  hides  his  Face  from  thee  :  And 
thus  follow  the  Lamb  whitherfoever  he 
goeth,  iri  all  the  Ordinances  of  his  own 
Appointment  here,  and  thou  {halt  certainly 
be  found  among  the  Lamb's  Company, 
who  (hall  lit  down  with  him  on  hisThrone, 
and  be  crown'd  as  Overcomers,  at  his  next 
Appearing.  Make  hafte,  and  don't  delay 
to  keep  his  Commandments  :  Do  not  let 
Satan  and  Unbelief  hinder  thee  any  longer 
from  giving  up  thyfelf  to  the  Lord,  and 
D  6  his 


(84) 

his  Service  :  For  thy  Working  time  for 
God  will  be  foon  over.  Oh  !  haft  thou 
not  been  thy  own  long  enough  already  ? 
Wilt  thou  not  from  this  Time  give  up  thy- 
felf  to  the  Lord  ?  Wilt  thou  not,  fays  he, 
from  this  Time  cry  unto  me,  My  Father, thou 
art  the  Guide  of  my  Touth  '?    Jcr.  iii.  4. 

*  How  long  will  it  be,   as  if  the  Lord 

*  mould  fay,  e're  thou  own  me  for  thy 
1  Father,  and  follow  me  as  a  Child  ,  truft- 

*  ing  in  me  for  Strength  and  Guidance  to 
'  conduct  thee  fafe  thro'  a  World  of  Trials, 

*  into  my  own  Bofom  ?  Wilt  thou  not 
€  from  this  time  cleave  tome?'  So  would 
I  fay  unto  thee  t  Wilt  thou  not  from  this 
time  be  the  Lord's  ?  Remember,  the  Day 
is  far  [pent  ,  and  what  thou  doit  for  God,s 
thou  muft  do  quickly  ;  Boaft  not  of  to- 
morrow  ;  for  thou  knoweji  not  what  a  Day 
?nay  bring  forth,  Pro.  xxvii.  1.  Therefore 
whatjbever  thy  HanJfndeth  to  dor  do  it  with 
thy  Might,  Ecclef.  ix.  10..  Waft  thou  to 
live  to  the  Age  of  Methufelah,  thy  God  is 
worthy  to  have  all  thy  Love,  and  all  thy 
Obedience,  to.  have  all  thy  Time  fpent  in 
his  Service  :  But  alas !  thou  haft  but  an 
Inch  of  Time  left,  a  fhort  Space  ,  Death 
and  Eternity  haften  upon  thee  ;  and  then 
thou'lt  not  repent  that  thou  gaveft  up  thy- 
felf  to  the  Lord  fo  foon,.  or  begans't  to 

ferve 


(  8S) 

ferve  him  (o  early  ;  but  rather,,  that  thoii 
didft  not  begin  fooner,  and  haft  done  fo 
little  for  God.     It  will  be  to  the  Honour 
of  thofe  Souls,  in  the  Day  of  Chrift,  who 
have  trufted  in  the  Lord,  and  followed  him 
in  the  Face  of  ten  thoufand  difficulties  from 
within,  and  from  without.      Their  Faith 
and   Obedience  fhall  then  be  own'd  and 
crown'd,   by  Free-Grace,  in  the  Sight  of 
Men  and  Angels  :   Whereas  thofe  of  the 
Saints,  who,  thro'  Satan  and  Unbelief,  have- 
been  hindred  from  following  Chrift  in  this 
World,  according  to  his  Appointments,  will 
be   afhanVd  before  him  at  his   Coming.. 
Their  IVorks  foall  be  burnt  up  j  and  they'll 
fuffer    lo/s,   tho'   they  themfelves  fhall  be 
favedy  yet  fo,  as  by  Fire,    Therefore  let  us 
that  have  believ'd  in  Jefus,  prize  our  prefent 
Moments,,  and  labour  to  improve  'em,  as 
an  Opportunity  put  into  our  Hands  to  glo- 
rify him  that  hath  lov'd  us^by  fhewing  our 
Love  to  him  in  keeping  his  Command- 
ments.    His  Servants  fhall  eat  when  others 
are  hungry  ,  they  fhall  drink,  when  others 
are  thirfty  3  they  fhall  rejoice,  when  others 
are  afhamed  ;  they  fhall  fing  for  Joy  of 
Heart,  when  others  {hall  howl  for  Vexati- 
on of  Spirit,  I  fa.  lxv.  13,  14.     If  any  Man 
ferve  me,  fays  our  Lord,,  let  him  follow  me  -y 
and  where  I  am,  there  Jhall  my  Servant  be : 

if 


(  86) 

if  any  Man  Jerve  me,  him  rcill  my  Father 
honour,  John  xii.  26.  And  what  canft  thou 
defire  more  ?  Oh  happy,  thrice  happy 
Souls,  who  are  in  fuch  a  Cafe !  Who  is 
like  unto  'em,  a  People  Javed  of  the 
LORD! 

The  Grace  of  Chrifl  be  with  thy  Spirit, 
Amen. 

/  am,  rivith  all  due  Re  [peer, 
Yours  in  him,  &c. 


LETTER     XIII. 

To  the  Ladv  PI. 

My  dear  Chrijiian  Lady, 

I  Beg  you'll  pleafe  to  pardon  my  Boldnefi, 
in  giving  you theTrouble  of  this;  which 
I  mould  not  have  prefum'd  to  do,  if  I  was 
not  comfortably  perfuaded  that  you  ore 
an  elect  Lady,  that  love  the  Lord  Jefus, 
his  Caufe,  and  People,  even  the  very 
meaneft  of  them  ;  and  therefore  Will  pati- 
ently attend  to  the  Chatterings  of  a  Child 
that  cannot  fpeak. 

The  Apoftie  James  exhorts  the  Saints 
he  wrote  to,  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  in  thofe 
various  Stations  in  which  the  divine  Provi- 
dence had  plac'd  'em  in  this  Life,  Jam. 

i.9> 


(  87) 

i.  9,  10.     Let  the  Brother  of  low  Degree 
rejoice  in  that  he  is  exalted  -,  But  the  rich, 
in  that  he  is  made  low.  Oh  what  difthwiim- 
ing  Grace  is  it  to  you,  my  dear  Lady,  that 
has  made  you  low  in    your  own   Eyes! 
Since  not  many  wife,   not  many  mighty,  not 
many  noble  are  called,  %s>  i  Cor.  i.  26.  What 
Grace  is  it,  that  you  mould  be  one  of  thofe 
few  !  an  Object  of  electing  Love,  and  a 
Sub j  eel:  of  calling  Grace,  when  thoufands 
of  your  Rank  and  Quality  are  paffed  by  ! 
Oh,  how  many  of  the  great  Men  of  this 
World  have  their  good  things,  their  Porti- 
on in  this  Life?  while  the  LORD  is  your 
Portion,  your  Time-Lot,  and  your  eternal 
All !  He  did  not  think  thefe  things  good 
enough  for  you  5  no,  he  fet  his  great  Love 
upon  you  from  everlafting,  and  gave  you 
a  Portion  that  is  every  way  anfwerable  to 
the  infinite  Love  of  his  Heart,  which  is  no 
lefs  than  his   Great  SELF!  And  having 
bleft  you  with  this  Portion  before  Time, 
in  his  everlafting   Covenant  with  his  Son  ; 
fo,  when  the  appointed  Moment  of  Calling- 
Love   came  on,   he  fent  his   Holy  Spirit 
down  into   your  Heart,   to  (hew  you  the 
Vanity  and  Emptinefs  of  all  worldly  Glory, 
and    to   raviih    your    Heart   with   infinite 
Sweetnefs,    uncreated  Excellency,  that   fo 
you  might  feek  for,  and  find  a  Soul-fatisfy- 

ing 


(88  ) 

ing  Reft  in  GOD  :  pofTefllng  your  vaft 
INHERITANCE  in  him,  by  Faitk 
which  is  in  Chrift  Jefus.  The  Riches, 
Honours  and  Pleafures  of  this  vain  World, 
(which  Mr.  Rutherford calls,  "  The  Clay- 
"  Portion  of  Baftards")  had  never  loft 
their  Beauty  in  your  Eye,  if  the  Spirit  of 
the  LORD  had  not  blown  upon  the  Glory 
of  his  lower  Creation,  and  made  it  wither 
like  the  mown  Grafs  in  your  Sight,  I/a. 

xi.7. 

What  innumerable  Multitudes  are  there 
of  the  World's  great,  wife,  mighty  and  noble 
Men,  who  continually  dote  upon  its  gilded 
Toys,  and  dmpty  Nothings  5  as  if  there 
was  a  Happinefs  in  'em  agreeable  to  the 
Nature  of  an  immortal  Soul  ?  And  You 
had  never  found  them  to  be  unfatisfying 
Hujksy  if  you  had  not  been  one  of  God's 
Children,  for  whom  the  Bread  of  Life  is 
prepared  in  your  Father  s  Houje. 

Again,  what  Multitudes  are  there,  that 
dote  upon  their  own  Excellencies ,  their 
natural  Endowments,  and  moral  Perform- 
ances ;  as  if  they  were  fome  of  the  moft 
beautiful  Creatures  in  the  World  ?  And 
even  dare  go  about  to  efiablifh  their  own 
Right  eoufnefs,  as  their  juftifying  Drefs  be- 
fore God  ?  And  you  likewife  had  been  of 
this  miferable  Number,  if  the  Spirit  of  the 

LORD 


(  89) 
LORD  had  not  blown  upon  created  Glo- 
ry, in  this  refpedt  alfo.     Your  natural  Ex- 
cellencies and  Performances  had  never  loft 
their  Brightnefs  in  your  Eye,  if  the  Spirit 
of  the  LORD  had  not  given  you  a  Sight 
of  the  tranfcendent  Glory,  and  infinite  Ex- 
cellency of  the  Perfon  and  Righteoufnefs  of 
Jefus  Chrift  ;  to  attract  your  Soul  after  him,. 
as  the  chiefeft  often  thoufand,  the  faireft 
in  both  Worlds,  the  Sum  of  all  your  Hap- 
pinefs,   and  Center  of  your  Defires !  'Tis 
the  Soul-ravifhing  Beauty,  the  adorable  Ex- 
cellency of  Chrift,  the  Glory-Sun,  darted 
by  the  Spirit  upon  the  Eye  of  your  Faith,, 
which  has  put  out  the  Light  of  Creature- 
Beauties,  and  extinguifh'd  them  out  of  your 
Sight  ;  fo  as  to  make  you  fay,  with  the 
P/almiJly  Pfa.  lxxiii.  25.     Whom  have  I  in 
Heaven  but  thee  ?  and  there  is  none  upon  the 
Earth  that  I  dejire  be  fides  thee.     And  with 
the  Apoftle  Pauly  Phil.  iii.  7,  8,  9.      But 
what  Things  were  Gain  to  me,  thofe  I  counted 
Lofs  for  Chriji.     Tea,  doubtle/s,  and  I  count 
all  Things  but  Lofs  y  for  the  Excellency  of  the 
Knowledge   of  Chriji  fe/us  my  Lord:  for 
whom  I  have  fufferdthe  Lofs  of  all  Things , 
and  do  count  them  but  Dung,  that  I  may  win 
Chrift,  and  be  found  in  him  ,  not  having  my 
own  Righteoufnefs,  which  is  of  the  Law,  but 
that  which  is  thro!  the  Faith  of  Chrift  y  the 

Righ-r 


(  90) 

Right couf ae fs  which  is  of  God  by  Faith.  Oh 
what  a  ipecial  Privilege  is  this,  to  be  made 
fo  low,  as  to  be  beholding  to  Chrift  for  all  1 
For  all  Happinefs,  Life  and  Glory,  in  this 
World,  and  that  to  come  !  Well  may  the 
Brother \  or  Sifter,  of  high  Degree  rejoice,  in 
that  they  are  made  thus  low  :  Forafmuch, 
as  the  Lord,  by  this  Work  of  his  Grace,  is 
preparing  that  Perfon  for  a  Life  and  Glory 
that  is  far  fuperior  to  all  earthly  Enjoy- 
ments ;  yea,  no  lefs  than  the  high  and 
eternal  Exaltation  of  the  heavenly  State  ! 

Has  it  been  thus  with  you,  my  dear 
Lady  ?  Has  the  Lord  ftript  you  naked  of 
created  Excellencies  ?  'Tis  iii  order  to  fill, 
fatisfy,  and  clothe  you  with  his  own  im- 
menfe  Glories  I  What  reafon  then  have 
you  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  both  now,  and 
for  evermore  ?  And  believe  it,  that  your 
high  Station  in  the  World  (what  Thorns 
and  Briars  foever  attend  it)  was  appointed  for 
you, by  the  fame  infinite  Love  that ordain'd: 
your  eternal  Salvation  :  Like  it  therefore, 
as  the  Choice  of  infinite  Wifdom,  the  Way 
laid  out  for  you  to  a  City  of  Habitation  ; 
and  labour  to  improve  it  to  the  Honour  of 
that  Grace  which  has  fav'd  you.  The 
Lord  may  have  intended  three  Things, 
principally,  hereby  ;  i.  To  commend  or 
let  off  the  Glory  of  diftinguifhing  Grace 

the 


(  9i  ) 

the  more  in  your  eternal  Salvation.  2.  To 
give  you  an  Opportunity  to  glorify  God  the 
more  on  the  Earth.  And,  3.  By  this,  as 
a  Means,  to  enhance  your  future  Crown. 

How  will  diftingu idling   Grace  {bine  in 
your  Salvation,  when  you  fhall  be  plac'd  at 
Chriffs  Right  Hand,  openly  acquitted.,  dii- 
charg'd  and  bleft  -,  and  as  fuch,  cali'd  to 
inherit  the  Kingdom,  that  Kingdom  of  Glo- 
ry, prepard  for  you  from  the  Foundation  of 
the  World-,  while  Thoufands  of  illuflrious 
Souls,  the  Great,  Rich,  Mighty,  and  No- 
ble of  the    World,  {hall  tremble  at  the 
Lamb's  Wrath,   and  call  to  the  Rocks   and 
Mountains  to  fall  on  them,  and  hide  them 
from  the  Face  of  him  that  Jits  on  the  Throney 
and  from  the  Wrath  of  the  Lamb,  when  thai 
great  Day  of  his  Wrath  is  come,  wherein 
none  of  ihcmjhall  be  able  tojlandl  Matth. 
xxv.  34.     Rev.  vi.  15,  16,  ly.     And  how 
will  it  raife  your  Notes  of   Praife  high, 
when,  with  the  redeemed  Company,  you 
join  to  fing  the  Lamb's  new  Song,  fayingy 
Worthy  is  the  Lamb  who  was  fain,  and  ha  % 
redeemed  its  unto  God  with  his  own  Blood, 
out   of  ever  Kindred,   Tongue,  People,  and 
Nation  ,  and  has  made  us  Kings  and  Priefts 
unto  our  God  I  Rev.  v.  9.  Oh  !  to  fee  your- 
felf  redeem'd  by  the  Lamb's  Blood,  from 
all  Mifery,  unto  all  Glory,  out  of  the  great 

and 


and  mighty  People  of  the  Earth  >  while 
they  are  left  to  perifh  in  their  Sins,  and 
fsnt  away  from  Chrtft  into  eternal  Tor- 
ments !  how  will  this  raife  your  Wonder 
at  diftinguifhing  Grace,  and  advance  your 
Hallelujahs  I 

Again,  What  if  God,  by  your  high  Stati- 
on in  the  World,  puts  an  Opportunity  into 
your  Hands  to-  glorify  him  the  more  oa 
the  Earth  ?  The  LORD  rais'd  Mojes  to 
that  high  Pitch  of  Honour  in  Pbaroatis 
Court,  that  fo  he  might  have  an  Opportu- 
nity to  glorify  God,  and  to  exercife  his 
Graces  in  denying  himfelf,  taking  up  his- 
Crofs,  and  following  Chrtft:  For  which 
his  Faith  is  fo  commended,  Heb.  xi.  24, 
25,  26,  By  Faith  Mofes,  when  he  was 
come  to  years ,  refufed  to  be  called  the  Son  of 
Pharoafrs  Daughter  ;  chujing  rather  to  fitf- 
fer  Affliction  with  the  People  of  God,  than 
to  enjoy  the  Pleajhres  of  Sin  for  a  Seafon ; 
ejieeming  the  Reproach  of  Chri/'t  greater 
Riches  than  the  Trea/ures  in  Egypt :  For  he 
had  refpeSl  unto  the  Recompenje  of  the  Re- 
ward: IfMo/es  had  not  had  fo  much  to  lofe, 
how  could  his  Faith  and  Love,  in.  his  Self- 
Denial,  forfaking  all  for  God,  have  fhone  fo 
confpicuoufTy  ?  Of  what  an  excellent  Kind 
did  his  Faith  appear  to  be,  when,  at  once, 
he  left  the  Pleasures,  Honours,  and  Trea- 

fures 


(  93  •) 

fures  of  the  Court,  and  the  Crown  of  Egypt 
too,  which  in  all  Liklihood  he  might  have 
enjoy'd  ;  refufing  to  be  call'd  the  Son  of 
PharoaVs  Daughter  ;  and  chufing  rather 
to  fuffer  Affliction  with  the  People  of  God  ? 
He  ftepp'd  down  at  once  from  all  his 
Court-royalty,  not  for  any  of  the  Grati- 
fications of  Senfe,  but  to  fuffer  Affliction  : 
Inftead  of  being  a  Prince,he  becomes  a  Ser- 
vant, a  mean  Shepherd,  and  earns  his  Bread 
by  keeping  of  Sheep ;  and  this  he  did  of 
mere  Choke ;  he  was  not  conftrain'd  there- 
to, and  fo  fubmitted  to  it,  but  he  chofe  it, 
-Oh,  ftrange  Choice,  in  a  Worldling's  Eye  ! 
None  but  them  that  have  the  fame  Faith 
which  Mo/es  had,  will  make  fuch  a  Choice. 
But  however  ftrange  this  Choice  might 
feem  to  Pharoatis  Courtiers  then,  or  to  Un- 
believers now,  it  was  not  an  irrational  one  : 
No,  Mo/es  had  the  higheft  Reafon  for  what 
he  did  -,  he  a&ed  herein  very  confiftently 
with  fpiritual  Reafon,  or  the  Principles  of 
Reafon  fanctify'd.  And  therefore  the  Holy 
Ghoft  gives  us  the  Caufe  of  this  wonder- 
ful Effecl :  For  he  had  Refpecl  unto  the  Re- 
compen/e  of  the  Reward.  The  Eye  of  his 
Faith  look'd  beyond  the  Things  of  Time 
and  Senfe,  to  that  tranfcendent  and  eternal 
Glory,  which  is  to  be  reveal'd  in  the  Saints. 
He  had  Soul-ravifhing  Views  of  the  Infinite 

Glory 


(94) 
Glory  of  that  GOD,  who  had  faid  to  Abra- 
ham, and  in  him  to  all  his  Seed,  Fear  not,  for 
Ia?n  tfjy  Shield,  and  thy  exceeding  great  RE- ' 
WARD,  Gen.  xv.  i.  And  he  look'd  to 
the  Glory  of  that  happy  Day,  when  a 
Crown  of  Righteoufnefs  mall  be  fet  upon  the 
Head  of  every  Overcomer  -,  which  drew  on 
his  Soul  to  run  in  that  Way  which  led  to 
fo  glorious  an  End.  So  that  he  did  not 
choofe  to  fuffer  Affliction  merely  for  its 
own  fake,  but  as  it  was  the  Way  ap- 
pointed of  God  for  his  People  to  pafs  thro' 
unto  the  Heavenly  Kingdom.  He  chofe 
to  fuffer  Affliction  with  the  People  of  God, 
to  caft  in  his  Lot  among  them,  to  fare  as 
they  did,  for  prefent  and  future,  for  Time 
and  for  Eternity.  And  this  becaufe  they 
had  JEHOVAH  for  their  God  ;  fuch  a 
GOD,  that  made  them  the  only  HAPPY 
People,  in  all  Conditions,  in  all  Times,  and 
unto  all  Eternity.  And  this  glorify'd  God 
exceedingly,  in  that  he  preferr'd  him  above 
all  5  above  all  thofe  high  Enjoyments  he 
had  in  Pharoah's  Court :  Yea,  he  faw  fuch 
a  tranfcendent  Glory  in  this  GOD,  as  he  is 
to  be  enjoy'd  in  and  thro1  Chrijl,  that  made 
him  efteem  even  the  very  Reproaches  he 
ihould  fuffer  for  his  Sake,  to  be  greater 
Riches  than  the  Treafures  in  Egypt.  And 
thus  it  was  apparent  that  he  made  God 

his 


(95) 
his  chief  End,   in  that  he  forfook  all,  and 
follow'd  him,  thro'  thick  and  thin,  better 
and  worfe  ;  that  fo  he  might  have  the  pre- 
fent  and  eternal  Enjoyment   of  him,  as  his 
chief  Good,   and   Soul-fatisfying  ALL! 
And  tho'  the  pooreft  Believer  in  the  World 
has  obtain  d  like  precious  Faith  with  Mofes  y 
which  produceth  anfwerable  EfFe&s  in  his 
proper  Sphere,  yet  Mofes  had  a  greater  Op- 
portunity to  glorify  God,  in  this  RefpecT:, 
in  forfaking  Abundance  for  him,  becaufe 
of  his  high  Station  in  the  World.     And 
tho'  your  Ladyfhip  is  not  call'd,   as  Mofes 
was,  to  a  perianal  forfaking  of  your  high 
Station,  yet  you  are  call'd   to  a  cleaving 
unto   Chrifl  in  it  ;  which  can't  be  done 
without  leaving  the  Pleafures,  Riches,  and 
Honours  af  it  in  Heart ;  chufing  rather  to 
fuffer  Affliction  with  the  People  of  God, 
than  to  enjoy  the  Pleafures  of  Sin  for  a 
Seafon  5  efteeming  the  Reproach  of  Chrift^ 
greater   Riches  than  the  Treafures  of  the 
Univerfe.     And  if  your  Ladyfhip's  Station 
was  not  fo  high,  you  could  not  have  fuch 
an  Opportunity  to  glorify  God,  by  forfak- 
ing fo  much  for  him,  which  his  Omnipo- 
tent Grace  enables  you  to  do,under  the  Soul- 
attracting  Kfplays  of  his  infinite  Sweet- 
nefs,  and  tranfeendent  Glory.     And  there- 
fore, 

Once 


(96) 

Once  more  the  Deiign  of  God,  in  your 
high  Station,  is,  to  prepare  you  hereby  for 
your  future  Crown.     It  is  indeed  a  thorny 
Place,  where  you,  as  one  of  Chrift  Lilies, 
grow  ;  and  no  wonder  if  they  often  fcratch 
and  tear  you.     If  you  was  tf  the  World,  the 
World  would  love  its  own  3  but  becaufe  Chrift 
has  chofen  you  out  of  the  World \  therefore  the 
World  hateth  you.     But  remember,  it  hated 
Chrift  before  it  hated  you.    And  I  doubt  not 
your  Willingnefs  to  fear  in  the  World,  as 
Chrift  did,  to  flay  for  your  Glory,  till  the 
whole  Courfe  of  your  Sufferings  are  ful- 
fil I'd  ;  as  knowing  that  if  you  fuffer  with 
himy  you  fhall  alfb  be  glorify  d  together  :  The 
Way  to  the  Kingdom  lies  thro'  much  Tribu- 
lation :  But  your  dear  Lord  Jefus  will  be  a 
Companion  with  you  in  it.    Not  a  Sorrow 
pierceth  your  Heart, butChrift  feels  it  -,  yea, 
takes  it  as  done  to  himfelf :    He  is  privy 
to  all  your  Diftreffes,  and  in  dear,  iympa- 
thizing  Love,  will  fupport  you  under  'em., 
fancftify  you  by  'em,  and  deliver  you  from 
them.    When  you  have  no  Chriftian  Friend 
or  Brother  by,  to  tell  your  Cafe  to,  Chrift 
is  with  you  then,   who  is  a  Friend  that 
fticketh  clofer  than    a  Brother  -,    a  Friend 
that  loves  at  all  times,  a  Brother  born  for 
Adverfty  ;  on  Purpofe  to  know  Adveriity, 
that  he  might  fympathize  with  you  in  it, 

and 


(  97  ) 

and  fave  you  from  it  -y  unto  whom  you 
may  freely  open  all  your  Heart,  in  the 
Faith  of  his  infinite  Bowels  to  pity  you, 
and  Power  to  help  you.  For  he'll  not  only 
companionate  you  in  all  your  Griefs,  but 
in  infinite  Grace  and  Faithfulnefs,  bell  rich- 
ly fupply  all  your  Wants.  And  when  you 
ha'n't  Opportunity  to  converfe  with  Chri- 
flian  Friends,  labour  to  improve  that  Sea- 
fon,  by  acquainting  yourfelf  more  intimate- 
ly with  the  Lord  Jefus  :  Drink  at  the 
Well-head,  the  Fountain  is  infinitely  fweet- 
cr  than  the  Streams  -,  and  you  fhall  never 
come  to  his  Bofom,  and  be  fent  away 
empty.  Go  on  therefore,  right  noble  La- 
dy, to  cleave  unto  Chrift,  by  Faith,  and 
every  Grace,  taking  up  his  profs  daily,  and 
following  the  Lamb  whitherfoever  he  go- 
eth  ;  reckoning,  that  the  Sufferings  of  this 
pre  fent  Time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared 
with  the  Glory  which  fhall  be  revealed  in  you. 
Take  Pleafure  in  denying  yourfelf,  in  all 
Refpecls,  for  Chrift  :  Be  glad  that  you 
have  any  thing  to  part  with  for  him  that 
has  lov'd  you.  Chrift  took  Pleafure  in 
denying  himfelf,  his  Great  SELF,  for 
you.  And  Oh  !  what  did  he  deny  him- 
felf of,  when,  in  infinite  Love,  he  left  his 
Glory  in  Heaven  ,became  a  Man  of  Sorrows, 
and  dy'd  on  the  Crofs  for  you,  to  redeem 
E  you 


(  9§  ) 

you  from  Sin  and  Death,  to  endlefs  Life  and 
Glory  !  And  what  can  be  too  dear  to  part 
with  for  your  dear  Lord   Jefus  ?  I'm  fore, 
nothing   that  he  calls  for,  while  your  Eye 
is  fixt  upon  his  boundlefs  Love,  and  your 
Soul  chang'd  into  the  fame  Image,     Rejoice 
therefore  that  you  are  counted  worthy  to  [uf- 
fer  Shame  for  his  Name  -,  and  efteem  the 
Reproaches    of  Chrifl,  your  great  and  fub- 
ftantial   Riches.     For   all  the  Flouts  and 
Frowns  you  meet    with   for  cleaving   to 
Chrift,  his  Caufe,  People,  Word  and  Ordi- 
nances in  this  World,  will  be  as  fo  many 
Jewels  to  enrich  your  Crown  in  the  World 
to  come.     Oh,  what   a  rich,    marly,   em- 
bclifh'd  Crown,   will  Chrift  let  upon  the 
Heads  of  thofe  Saints,   who  have  left  all, 
and   follow'd   him   amidft    ten    thoufand 
Reproaches !  Te,  (faith  our  Lord)  which  have 
follow  d  me,   in  the  Regeneration,  when  the 
Son  of  Man  JJ: all  fit  on  the  Throne  of  his 
Glory ,  ye  alfofkall  fit  upon  twelve  Thrones , 
judging  the  twelve  Tribes  of  Ifrael.  And  eve- 
ry one  that  hathforfaken  Houfes,or  Brethren, 
or  Sifters,  or  Father,  or  Mother,  or  Wife, 
or  Children,  or  Lands  for  my  Name's  fake, 
pall  receive  an  Hnndred-foldi  (even  in  this 
prefent  Time)  and  fall  inherit  ever  I  a  ft  in g 
Life,  Mat.  xix.  28,29.   Chrift  has  Thrones 
for  his  i offering  Saints,  which  are  far  fupe- 

rior 


(  99  ) 

rior  to  all  thofe  petty  Glories,  of  which 
the  Princes  and  Potentates  of  this  World 
boaft.  And  as  for  Crowns,  Chrift  has  a 
Crown  of  Life,  a  Crown  of  Right  eoufnefs,  a 
Crown  of  Glory ,  which  he'll  give  to  every 
Overcomer,  at  his  glorious  Appearing  and 
Kingdom,  Rev.  ii.  io.  2  Tim.  iv.  8. 
1  Peter  v.  4.  when,  of  the  freeft  Grace, 
he'll  give  Rewards  unto  his  Servants,  and  to 
his  Saints,  and  to  all  that  fear  his  Name 
both  Jhiall  and  great,  Rev.  xi.  18.  And 
then  the  railed  Saints,  thofe  ftarry  Glories 
of  the  firfVRefurrection,  being  marfhaird 
into  Order,  fhall  mine  forth  in  their  diffe- 
rent Orbs,  with  an  heavenly  Luftre,  and  a 
World-confounding  Splendor  :  And  thofe 
fhall  fhine  the  brighteft  in  that  Day,  who 
have  been  enabled  to  do  and  fuffer  moft 
for  Chrift  in  this.  For  every  of  their  Ser- 
vices, even  the  meanefr,  fhall  then  receive  a 
full  and  proportionable  Reward.  1  Cor. 
xv.  41,  42.  Matt.v.  11,  12.  and  chap, 
x.  41,  42.  Blejfed  then  is  the  Man  that 
endureth  Temptation  ;  for  when  he  is  tried, 
he  fiall  receive  the  Crown  of  Life,  which  the 
Lord  hath  promised  to  them  that  love  him, 
Jam.  i.  12. 

I  am,  with   the  greate/l  Refpec~l,  Tour 
Ladyjhips,  at  all  Obedience  in  the  Lord,  Sec. 

E  2  To 


(  ioo  ) 

LETTER    XIV. 

To  Mrs.  S. 

Dear  Friend, 

Grace  unto  you,  and  Peace  be  multiply  'd, 

OUR  Lord,  John,  ill  3.  afferts  the 
Neceffity  of  the  New-Birth ,  and 
ver.  5.  declares  what  kind  of  Birth  he 
intends,  viz.  Of  Water  and  of  the  Spirit ; 
i  e.  of  the  Word  and  Spirit  of  God ;  with- 
out which  no  Man  can  feef\\2X  is,  enjoy,  or 
enter  into  the  Kingdom  of  God.  The  Rea- 
fon  of  it  is  this ,  becaufe,  in  order  to  all 
kind  of  Enjoyment,  there  muft  be  an  A- 
greeablenefs  in  the  Perfon  or  Thing  en- 
joying, with  the  Perfon  or  Thing  enjoyed. 
"This  the  Apoftle  declares,  1  Co**,  ii.  14. 
But  the  natural  Man  receiveth  not  the  Things 
of  the  Spirit  of  God :  becaufe  they  are  Foolijh- 
nefs  unto  him  ,  neither  can  he  know  themy 
becaufe  they  are  fpiritually  difecrned.  He 
receives  them  not,  becaufe  they  are  Foolifh- 
nefs  unto  him  ;  and  they  are  fo,  becaufe 
he  cannot  know  them  5  and  the  Reafon  of 
this,  is,  becaufe  they  are  fpiritually  dif- 
cerned  >  and  he  being  but  a  natural  Man, 

has 


(     10!     ) 

has  no  fpiritual  Eye,  no  Organ  fuited  to 
behold  a  Glory  in  fpiritual  Things,  which 
can  only  be  fpiritually  difcerned. 

Thus,  in  the  Works  of  Nature,  the  All- 
wife  Creator  form'd  all  his  Creatures  with 
a  Capacity  fuited  to  live,  acl,  or  be  in  that 
proper  Element,  Sphere,  or  Place  which  he 
had  defign'd  for  them  ;  as  Birds  in  the  Air, 
Fifhes  in  the  Water,    &c.      And   as  for 
Pvlan,  the  Top-piece  of  the  Creation,  in 
whom  the  whole  was,  as  it  were,  epito- 
miz'd,  or  fummed  up ;  how  curioufly  wag 
he  wrought,  when  he  came  out  of  his 
Maker's  Hand  ?  How  excellently  was  he 
fitted  to  enjoy  all    that  great  Happinefs 
which  was  prepared  for  him  !  His  Soul, 
as  it  came  out  of  his  Creator's  Hand,  was 
excellently  fitted  to  enjoy  Communion  with 
God,  as  the  God  of  Nature,  difplaying  his 
Glory  in  the  Creatures  ;  and  his  Body,  how 
wonderfully  was  that  fram'd  to  enjoy  the 
Creatures  in  this  World  ?  How  excellently 
were  all   his  Senfes  fitted  to  their  proper 
Objects  ?  His  Eye  to  behold  the  Glory  of 
the  Sun,  the  Variety  of  Creatures,  and  the 
Beauty  of  Colours  ?  His  Ear  to  converfe 
with  Sounds  ?  His  Palate  to  tafte  Meats  ? 
His  Smell  to  take  in  Scents  ?  And  his  Feel- 
ing to  judge  of  folid  Bodies,  perceptible  by 
that  Senfe  ?  And  as  it  was  in  the  Formati- 
E  3  on 


(    102    ) 

on  of  Man,  fo,  in  fome  meafure,  it  is  in  his 
Generation :  For,  when  a  Child  is  born  into 
the  World,  it  is,  in  thefe  refpects,  fuited  to, 
and  has  a  Defire  after  the  Perfons  and 
Things  which  are  therein  ;  and  without 
this,  it  could  have  no  Enjoyment  of  the 
good  Things  of  Life. 

And  as  it  is  in  the  Works  of  Nature,fo  in 
the  Works  of  Grace  :  For,  as  this  World 
is  prepar'd  for  the  Child's  Enjoy  menu,  and 
then  that  is  generated,  and  born  in  order  to 
enjoy  it ;  fo  there's  a  Kingdom  prepar'd 
for  the   Children  of  God  -,  and  the  Soul 
muil  be  regenerated,  new-born,  or  born  a- 
gain,  before  it  can  fee  it.     There  being  the 
lame  Neceffity  that  the  Soul  be  born  into' 
the  World  of  Grace,  before  it  can  enjoy 
that  \  as  there  is  that  a  Man   fhould   be 
born  into  the  World  of  Nature,  before  he 
can  enjoy  this. 

And  now,  methinks,  I  hear  thee  fayr 
c  All  this  I  am  convinc'd  of  -,  but  I  great- 
c  ly  want  to  know  whether  I  am  one  of 
c  thofe  who  are  new-born  \  If  this  be 
thy  Cafe,  then  ask  the  Lord  to  tell  thee, 
and  he'll  give  thee  an  Anfwer  of  Peace  in 
his  own  Time.  There  are  two  Ways 
whereby  a  Soul  comes  to  know  that  it  is 
new-  born  :  The  firft  is,  by  the  Revelation 
of  the  Spirit,  bearing  witnefs  to  the  Soul, 

in 


(  ">3  ) 

in  fome  Word  or  other,  where  this  Truth 
is  declar'd.  The  iecond  is,  by  his  enabling 
the  Soul  to  difcern  its  own  Acts  in  divine 
Light  y  and  to  draw  Conclufions  from  its 
dilcerned  Acts  of  Grace,  that  it  has  the 
Principle.  And  in  both  thefe  Ways,  the 
Lord  can  give  thee  Satisfaction  in  an  in- 
flant,  if  it  pleafeth  him.  But  generally 
fpeaking,  it  is  fome  Time  ere  a  Child  of 
God  can  draw  fteady  Conclufions  of  its 
being  new-born,  from  its  own  Acts  of  the 
new  Life.  And  therefore  thou  may  ft  b~ 
new-born,    tho'  thou  doft  not  know  it ! 

A  living  Infant,  you  know,   when  firft 
born  into  the  World,    hath  Life  >  but  it 
doth  not  know  it.      It  had  a  fecret  Life 
from  its  firft  quickning  in  the  Womb  ;  and 
from  thence  a  fecret  Motion  :  but  as  fbon 
as  it  is  born,  it  begins  to  live  vifibly  to  o-. 
thers  :    but  yet  the    Child  itfelf    knows 
nothing  of  the  Matter.     It  crys,  defires  the 
Breaft,  taftes  the  Milk,  and  is  fatisfy'd; 
fees  the  Light,  and  feels  the  Heat  with 
Pleafure  ;  all  which  are  vifible  Demonftra- 
tions  of  its  Life  to  By-ftanders  •,  but  the 
Child  knows  nothing  of  it,  becaufe  it  is 
not  capable  of  Self- reflection.     And  thus 
it  is  with  a  new-born  Soul  :  There's  a  fe- 
cret Work  of  God  upon  all   the  Heart,  a 
Principle  of  Life  given  -,  and  from  thence 
E  4  fome 


(  io4  ) 
fome  fecret  Motions  and  faint  Stirrings 
now  and  then,,  under  begun  Convictions, 
before  it  is  brought  forth  into  the  vifible 
Life  of  Grace  ;  which  difcovers  itfelf, 
as  foon  as  ever  the  Soul  is  born  again, 
in  the  Breath  or  Cry  of  the  new  Crea- 
ture, its  Defiles,  its  Difcernings,  and  its 
Enjoyments :  Which,  when  communicat- 
ed to  grown  Chriftians,  they  know  fuch 
a  Soul  is  one  of  ChrifVs  new-born 
Babes  ;  altho'  this  Child  itfelf  is  not  yet 
capable  fo  to  reflect  upon  its  own  A6ts> 
as  to  conclude  its  Life  from  thence. 

And  if  this  be  thy  Cafe,  that  thou 
canft  not  pafs  a  Judgment  from  what  thou 
haft  experienced,  that  thou  haft  the  Life  of 
Grace,  or  art  new-born  ;  then  tell  me,  as 
a  rational  Creature,  how  it  is  with  thee  ? 
For  as  fuch,  thou  canft  tell  what  the 
Acts  of  thy  Soul  have  been  ;  altho',  as  a 
new  Creature,  thou  mayft  not  yet  be 
come  to  fuch  an  Exercife  of  thy  fpiritual 
Senfes,  as  to  know  thofe  Acts  to  be  Acts  of 
Grace,  and  a  certain  Demonftration  of  thy 
being  born  again. 

Well,  a  living  Child  fees :  What  haft 
thou  feen  ?  Haft  thou  feen  thyfelf  to  be 
a  Sinner  by  Nature,  as  well  as  by  Practice  ? 
in  Heart/as  well  as  Life  ?  and  that  thou 

art 


(  W5  ) 

art  utterly  undone,  and  muft  perifh  for 
ever,  without  an  Intereft  in  Jefus  Chrift  ; 
as  being  utterly  unable  to  do  any  thing  to 
deliver  thyfelf  from  the  Wrath  to  come  ? 
Haft  thou  feen  thy  own  Righteoufnefs  to 
be  but  Filthy  Rags  ?  and  thy  own  Strength, 
to  do  any  good,  but  Weaknefs  ?  Again, 
haft  thou  feen  an  Excellency  in  Chrift,  as 
a  complete  Saviour,  that  is  exceeding  fui ta- 
ble to  thy  Cafe  as  a  loft  Sinner  ?  And  haft 
thou  any  Difcernings  of  the  Glory  of  God's- 
Free -Grace  and  Mercy  in  Chrift?  Thou 
haft  then  the  new  Creature's  Eye,  dis- 
cerning Faith,  even  the  Faith  of  God's  E- 

And,  from  thefe  Difcernings,  haft  thou 
been  made  to  cry  unto  the  Lord,  to  la- 
ment thy  Sinfulnefs  before  him,  and  to- 
fupplicate  his  Throne  for  Mercy,  praying. 
him  to  give  thee  Chrift,  whatever  he  de- 
nies thee  of  ?  Thou  haft  then  the  new 
Creature  s  Breath,  which  flows  from  pone 
but  thofe  that  have  the  new  Creature's 
Life. 

Again,  what  are  thy  Defires  ?  Are  the 
Longings  of  thy  Soul  after  the  Free-Qrace 
and  Mercy  of  God  in  Chrift,  as  held  forth 
in  the  Promifes,  thofe  Breafts  ofConfolati- 
w  ?  Thou  haft  then  the  new  .Creature's 
E  5  Ap- 


(  io6  ) 

Appetite,   and  art    certainly  born  of  the 
Word  and  Spirit  of  God. 

Once  more,  what  are  thy  Enjoyments  ? 
What  fatisfies  and  pleafeth  thy  Soul  beft  ? 
Has  the  Free-Grace  of  God,  and  of  the 
Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  been  fweet  and  favoury 
to  thee  in  a  Promife,  or  in  an  Ordinance 
to  the  refrefhing  and  fatisfying  of  thy  Soul 
for  fome  Moments  ;   juft  fo  long  as  thou 
haft  the  Breaft  in  thy  Mouth,  the  Grace 
of  the  Promife  milk'd  out  to  thee  ?  Then 
thou  haft  tafted  that  the  Lord  is  gracious ', 
and  art  one  of  ChrifVs  new-born  Babes. 
And  haft   thou    ever  felt    any   refrefhing 
Warmth  and  Comfort  in  the  Love  of  God, 
which,  like   Fire,  has  warm'd  and  heated 
thy  cold  Soul  ?  Thou  haft  then  that  Sen- 
fation  which  is  proper  to  a  new  Creature  : 
and  it  is  evident,  in  all  thefe  refpecls,  that 
thou  art  certainly  born  again.    And  as  fuch, 
,  thou  fhalt  fee,  that  is,  enjoy  the  Kingdom 
of  God,  as    a  Kingdom  of  Grace    here, 
which  is  a  Kingdom  of  Power,  Righteouf- 
nefs,   Peace,   and  Joy  in  the  Holy  .  Ghojt  ; 
and  thou  fhalt  enter  into  the  Kingdom  of 
Glory    hereafter,  as  being  made  meet  to 
be   a  Partaker  of  the  Inheritance  of  the 
Saints  in  Light,     For  he  that  is  thy   God 
hath  prepardfor  thee  a  City,  and  wrought 
thy  Soul  for  this  Jelf  fame  thing.     There 

being 


(  i°7  ) 
being  never  a  Soul  in  the  World  that  is 
thus  wrought  upon,  but  is  a  Vefjel  of 
Mercy  prepared  unto  Glory,  by  a  laving 
Work  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  upon  it,  as 
well  as  in  the  Purpofes  of  God  concerning 
it. 

Go  on  therefore,  as  a  new-born  Babe,  to 
defire  the  fincere  Milk  of  the  Word,  the 
unmixed  Grace  of  the  Gofpel ;  and  fear 
not  to  receive  it,  that  thou  may  ft  grow 
thereby.  For  it  is  on  purpofe  for  thee,  to 
maintain  and  increafe  the  begun  Life  of 
Grace  in  thy  Soul,  until  it  is  perfected  in 
the  Life  of  Glory.  Rejoice  then,  thou 
Lamb  of  Chrift,  for  thou  art  exceeding 
iafe  under  thy  kind  Shepherd's  Care  :  he'll 
gather  thee  with  his  Arm,  and  carry  thee 
in  his  Bofom  ;  he'll  lead  thee  into  green 
Paftures,  beftde  the  /till  Waters,  and  make 
thee  to  lye  down  Jafely. 

I  am,  with  dear  Love, 

Tours  in  him,  &c. 


E  6  LET- 


(   io8  ) 

LETTER    XVT 
To  Mrs.   G 

Dear  Sifter, 

I  Greet  you  in  the  Lord  ;  wifhing  Peace,, 
from  the  God  of  Peace,  to  be  extended 
towards  you  like  a  River. 

I  ihould  have  wrote  to  you  before  now, 
but  I  have  been  hundred,  partly  thro'  the 
Affliction  thathas  attended  my  Yoke-fellow, 
and  my  own  perfonal    Weaknefs,  under 
which   I.  often  groan,  becaufe  I  can  do  fo 
little  for  my  dear  Lord  Jefus.     Oh,  how 
am  I  prevented  from  ferving  Chrift  as  I 
would,   by  reaibn  of  the  Body  of  Sin  that 
dwelleth  in  me,  and  the  Weaknefs  of  my 
natural  Frame  !  But  yet,,  in  Faith,  I  look 
forward  to  the  Day  of  my  Rede?nption,   and 
rejoice  in  Hope  of  the  Glory  of  God,  when  I 
.thall  have  done  with  all  natural  and  fin- 
fbl  Weaknefs  too,  and  be  for  ever  fuTd 
with  Strength  to  know,  love,  and  glorify 
God  perfectly.     Here  we  have  Weakneis 
attending  our  Souls,  as  well  as  bodily  Weak- 
nefs, to  conflict  with.    What  qualms,  fick, 
and  fainting   Fits  come  over  our  Spirits 

now, 


(  io9  ) 
now,  at  Times,   while  the   Body  of  Sin 
and  Death  works  in  us  ?  But  in  Heaven, 
Mortality  flail  be   fivallawed  up  of  Life. 
'The   Inhabitant  of  that  City  flail  fay  na 
more,  I  amfick  •  for  Sin,  with  all  its  EfFedls^ 
fhall  be  for  ever  deftroy'd.     God  will  root 
the  Being   of  Sin  out  of  our  Nature,  at 
Death  \  and  perfect  Conformity   to  Chrift 
fhall  take  the  Plate  that   Sin  once  had  m 
our  Souls :   And  he'll  deliver  our  Bodies 
too  from  the  Dominion  of  Death,  at   the 
Refurre&ion-morn ,   falTiioning  them  like 
unto  the  glorious  Body  of  Chrift.     And  then 
Sin  and  Death  will,  apparently,  be  fwal- 
low'd  up  in  the  Vi&ory  of  everlafting  Life. 
Oh  the  Glory  of  that  State,  when  we  fhall 
never  have  a  vain  Thought  more !  an  un- 
believing Thought  more  !  a  heartlefs,  lift- 
lefs  Thought  for    Gcd  more  !  But  (hall 
have  our  whole   Souls  intenfely  fixt  upon 
him,  beholding  his  bright  Face,  fir'd  with: 
love  to  him,   and  fill'd   with   Zeal  for  his 
Glory,  afcending   like  a  perpetual  Flame5 
in  eternal  Hallelujahs !  Then  we  fhall  be 
fitted  for  Glory  indeed,  both  in  its  Enjoy- 
ment and  Employment.      We  fhall  fee 
the  Lamb's  Face,  and  the  Face  of  God  in 
him,   and  cafl  down  our  Crowns  before  the 
Throne^  while  we  afcribe  Salvation,  Glory 
and  Honour  unto  God  and  the  Lamb  for 

ever. 


(  no) 

ever.  We  mall  then  be  able  to  bear  that 
Weight  of  Glory,  which  is  now  prepared 
for  us  -y  which,  was  it  to  be  let  out  upon 
us  here,  would  crufh  our  weak  Nature, 
and  break  down  our  feeble  Frame,  under 
the  majeftick  Greatnefs  thereof.  This  new 
Wine  of  Glory  would  burjl  our  old  Bottles, 
the  old  Frame  of  our  Nature.  And  there- 
fore the  Vejjels  of  Mercy  muft  be  prepard 
for,  before  they  are  filPd  with  Glory  -, 
and  when  we  are  prepar'd  for  it,  we  mall 
cverlaftingly  be  fill'd  with  it.  God  the  Fa- 
ther prepard  us  for  Glory,  in  his  Eternal 
Choice  of  us  in  his  Son,  fore-appointing  us 
to  that  great  End.  God  the  Son  prepar'd 
us  for  Glory,  when,  in  Love  to  the  Church, 
he  gave  himfelf  for  it,  that  he  might  fan- 
clify  and  cleanfe  it  with  the  Wafhing  of 
Water  by  the  Word,  that  he  might  prefent  it 
unto  himfelf  a  glorious  Church,  not  having 
Spot  or  Wrinkle  or  any  fuch  thing.  And 
God  the  Holy  Ghoft  prepares  us  for 
Glory,  by  that  good  Work  of  Conformity 
to  Chrifr,  which  he  hath  begun  in  its,  and 
will  perfetl  upon  us,  both  in  Soul  and 
Body.  And  when,from  the  Love  of  God,in 
his  three  glorious  Perfbns,we  are  fully  made 
meet  for  our  Inheritance,  we  fhall  enjoy  it : 
As  foon  as  ever  we  are  come  to  Age,  we 
fhall  enter  upon  the  full  Pofleffion  of  that 

incon- 


C  ».  ) 

inconceiveable  Glory,  and  endlefs  Life  we 
have  in  the  LORD,  as  our  Portion ! 

Lift  up  thy  Head  therefore,   my  dear 
Sifter,    under  all  the  Trials  thou  meetft 
with  in  this  prefent  Time  ;  for  the  Lord, 
by  thefe,  is  preparing  thee  for  endlefs  Glory, 
The  ever/a/ling  Arms  are  underneath,   to 
fupport  thee  ;  they  are  round  about,  to  em- 
brace and  defend  thee  ;  and  they  are  al- 
ways at  Work  upon  thee,  to  polifh  and 
prepare  thee  for  Glory,  by  every  Stroke 
that  toucheth  thee.     And  tho'   Trials  may 
be  grieving  to  thy  frail  Flefh;  yet  thy  God 
will  exercife  thy  Faith,  and  every  Grace  by 
'em,  and  make  them  to  yield thee  the  peace* 
able  Fruit  of  Righteoujhefs,  in  that  Crown 
of  Life,  which  the  Lord  has  promisd  to 
them  that  love  him,  when  they  are  fully 
try'd.  Therefore  endure  Temptation,  look- 
ing to  the  Glory  which  (hall  be  reveal'd ; 
for  there  is  a  peculiar  BlefTednefs  attending 
it.     When  a  new  Trial  comes,  think  thus 
with  thyfelf ;  c  Now  my  God  is  about  to 

*  make   me  more    like  Chrifl ;    'tis    the 

*  boundlels  Love  of  my  Father's  Hearty 

*  that  gives  me  this  Crofs  to  bear  ;  that  fo 
1  I  might  be  conformable  unto  Chrifl:  in 
1  Sufferings  :  Looking  therefore  unto  my 
K  Lord,  who  endur'dius  Crofs  for  the  Joy 

*  fit 


(  «*  ) 

'  Jet  before  him,  and  leaning  upon  his 
€  Strength,  I'll  take  up  mine,  and  bear  it 
c  after  him,  until  I  reach  Glory  with  him\ 
Gold  muft  be  refin'd  from  its  Drofs,  be- 
fore it  can  fhine  forth  in  its  native  Glory. 
So  muft  the  Saints,  in  the  Furnace  of 
Affliction,  before  they  fhine  forth  in  that 
Glory  which  (hall  follow.  Therefore  prize 
your  Trials,  and  be  thankful  for  'em  ;  for 
they  all  work  together  for  your  Good,  un- 
der the  efficacious  Influence  of  eternal  Love, 
infinite  Wifdom,  and  almighty  Power. 
And  fince  our  light  Affliction  which  is  but 
for  a  Moment,  worketh  for  us  a  far  7nore 
exceeding  and  eternal  Weight  of  Glory  ; 
what  Caufe  have  we  to  rejoice  in  Chrift 
now  ?  and  to  comfort  one  another  with  thefe 
Words,  that  we  Jhall^xt  long,  be  for  ever 
with  him  I 

Fare  ye  well  in  the  Lord.     In  him>  with 

dear  Love  y  lam  yours  for  ever,  &c. 


L  E  T~ 


(  ^3) 

LETTER    XVI. 
To  Mr.  C 

Honour* d  Brother  y 

CI  Race  and  Peace  from  God  our  Fa- 
"J"   ther,    and  from  Jefus   Chrifl  our 
Lord. 

Your  God   is   the  God  of  Peace ;    and 
your  Jefus,  the  Lord  of  Peace,  the  King 
of  Peace ;  that  made  Peace  for  all  his  Sub- 
jects, and  gives  it  to  'em  by  the  bleffed  Spi- 
rit, as  the  Comforter.     Having  therefore 
your  Feet  food  with  the  Preparation  of  the 
Go/pel  of  Peace,  go  on  cheerfully  thro*  a 
World  of  Trials,  and  fear  none  of  the  rug- 
ged Way  you   meet  with.      For  having 
Peace  with   God,  thro'   Jefus  Chrijl>  and 
your  Faith  cloth'd  herewith,  you  may  fafe- 
ly  tread  your  roughed  Way,  as  being  well 
fenc'd  and  fecur'd  from  all    harm..     Re- 
member, if  your  Trials  are  great,  and  your 
Way  thorny,    your  Shoes  (hall  be  Iron  and 
Bra/s,   and  as  your  Days,  your  Strength  : 
You  (hall  have  Strength  proportionable  un- 
to every  Day  of  Trial.  What  tho'  you  have 
no  Strength  of  your  own,  to  endure  the 

leaft 


(  U4) 

leafl  Affliction,  to  the  Glory  of  God  ;  yet 
you  have  Strength  enough  in  your  Head  : 
Say  therefore,  in  Faith,  as  it  was  long  ago 
foretold,  Lithe  LORD  have  I  Strength, 
Iia.  xlv.  24.  For  unlefs  the  everlafting 
Strength  of  JEHOVAH  could  fail,  you 
fhall  not  want  frefli  Supplies  when  you  are 
juft  ready  to  faint.  No,  he  giveth  Power  to 
the  Faint,  a?id  to  them  that  have  no  Might  he 
incveafeth  Strength.  And  they  that  wait  upon 
the  LORD,JJjall  renew  their  Strength,  they 
fiall  run  and  not  be  weary,  and  walk  and  not 
faint :  And  if  they  meet  with  Trials,which 
are  like  mighty  Mountains  in  their  Way, 
they  fhall  mount  up  with  Wings  as  Eagles, 
and  fly  over  them,  Ija.  xl.  29,  31.  There- 
fore fear  none  of  your  Trials :  For  infinite 
Wifdom  ordain'd  'em,  infinite  Love  be- 
ftows  'em,  and  almighty  Power  over-rules 
them  for  the  Glory  of  God,  and  your  Ad- 
vantage. Grieve  you  they  may  -,  but  de- 
stroy you  they  cannot.  And  learn,  my 
dear  Brother,  to  look  for  your  Peace  where 
it  is,  even  in  the  Bofom  of  Chrift  :  In  me, 
fays  he,  ye  Jhall  have  Peace.  He  has  told 
you,  that  in  the  World  ye  fhall  have  Tribula- 
tion :  therefore  think  it  no  Jlrange  Thing. 
For  all  God's  Children  have  their  Trials, 
thofe  very  Trials  which  were  appointed  for 
them.  Therefore  fay,  with  Job,  He  per- 
formed 


(  "5) 

formeth  the  Thing  that  is  appointed  for  mey 
Chap,  xxiii.  14.  Thofe  very  Trials  you 
meet  with  were  fore-appointed  for  you,  as 
a  Means  to  try  and  exercife  your  Graces. 
Your  kind  Father  defigns  to  make  you  a 
Partaker  of  his  Holincfs,  by  every  Chaftife- 
ment  that  paffeth  over  you.  He  defigns 
your  Profit  herein,  to  brighten  and  increafe 
your  Graces,  and  thereby  to  prepare  you 
for  your  future  Crown. 

And  if  you  find  your  Afflictions  to  be  a 
Means  of  fending  you  oftner  to  the  Throne, 
and  exercifing  your  Graces  -,  if  you  learn 
Obedience  by  the  Things  you  fuifer  ; 
you  have  great  Reafon  to  blefs  God  for 
them,  and  for  a  fanctify'd  Ufe  of  'em. 
And  don't  let  Satan  rob  God  of  the  Glory, 
nor  you  of  the  Comfort,  of  his  Kindnefs  to 
you  herein.  For  Afflictions  could  work  no 
Good  in  thy  Heart  or  Life,  if  God  did  not 
work  by  'em.  And  that  God  that  works 
by  'em,  could  as  well  work  without  'em, 
was  it  his  Pleafure.  He  could  fill  our  Hearts 
brimful  of  Grace,  without  Trials  as  a 
Means,  was  it  his  Will.  But  fince  infinite 
Wifdom  faw  it  meet, that  thro'  much  Tribu- 
lation we  fliould  enter  the  Kingdom^  let  us 
fubmit  with  Thankfulnefs,  and  like  the 
Way  that  leads  to  fo  glorious  an  End.  God 
did  not   appoint  Affliction  merely  for  its 

own 


(  »6  ) 

own  fake,   but  as  a  Means  to  purify  his 
Children.     By  this,  fays  the  Lord,  Jhall  the 
Iniquity  of  Jacob  be  purged,  and  this  is  all 
the   Fruit  to  take  away  his  Sin,  Ifa.  xxvii. 
9.  Fiery  Trials  are  to  brighten  our  Graces, 
and  confume  our  Drofs,     Rejoice  therefore, 
as  knowing  that  tribulation  worketh  Pati- 
ence^ (It  works  it,  becaufe  God  having  ap- 
pointed it  as  a  Means,   works  by  it  unto 
this  End)  and  Patience ',  Experience-,  and 
Experience,  Hope,   Rom.    v.  3,4.       And 
as  our  God  deiigns  to  increafe  our  Graces 
by  Affliction ;  fo  to  prevent  us  from  Sin 
thereby.     And  'tis  wondrous  Grace  to  be 
either  prevented  or  reftor'd  from   Sin,  by 
any    Trial  we   meet  with.      The   Lord 
knoweth  that  our  Hearts  are  bent  to  Back- 
Jliding  from  him  ;  and  therefore,  in  infinite 
Grace,    he  fays,  I  will  hedge  up  thy  Way 
with  Thorns,  and  make  a  Wall,  that  jhe  jhalt 
not  find  herPaths.  And  fie  Jhall  follow  after 
her  Lovers,  but  fie  Jhall  not  overtake  them  ; 
and  fie  Jhall 'Jeek  them,  but  Jhall not  jindyemy 
Hof.  ii.  6,  7. 

Here's  preventing  Mercy  flopping  up 
our  Way  of  finful  Delight  in  the  Creatures. 
But  what  would  all  this  do  upon  our  Spirits, 
if  God  was  not  to  work  upon  our  Hearts  in 
thefe  thorny  Difpenfations  ?  Why ,  juft 
nothing  at  all  that  is  good :  We  mould  not 

get 


(  "7) 

get  a  jot  nearer  the  Bofom  of  God-- thereby, 
but  rather,  like  the  Wicked,  fret  under  his 
Hand,  and  blafpheme  his  Name.  But  be- 
hold, that  fame  Grace  that  hedgeth  up  our 
Way  with  Thorns,  and  thereby  prevents 
us  from  taking  up  our  Reft  in  the  Crea- 
tures, doth  abiblutely  engage  to  work  ef- 
fkacioufly  upon  our  Souls,  in  turning  them 
to  God  by  thefe  thorny  Providences  ;  as  it 
follows, 

Then  Jhalljhe  fay,  1  will  go  and  return  to 
Vtyfirft  Husband,  for  then  it  was  better  with 
me  than  now,  [Then]  jhallfoefay  :  When  ? 
why,  when  her  Way  is  hedg'd  up,  when 
all  the  Creatures  me  feeks  to  delight  her- 
felf  in,  fcratch  and  wound  her.  Aye,  and 
then  fhe  [mall]  fay,  (it  is  not  faid,  me  will 
fay  ;  but  (he  fhall  fay)  Efficacious  Grace 
will  make  her  fay :  And  what  mall  me  fay  ? 
Why;  I  will  go  and  return  unto  myfirjl 
Husband  \  for  then  was  it  better  with  me 
than  now.  Here's  God's  (loall,  before  her, 
/  will :  Efficacious  Grace  fecures  her  Will 
and  fweetiy  allures  her  into  the  Bofom  of 
God,  under  frefh  Difcoveries  of  his  Relati- 
on to  her,  as  her  Husband  ;  giving  her  a 
quick  Remembrance  of  that  infinite  Sweet- 
nefs  fhe  once  tafted  in  him,  and  a  delight- 
ful Profpecl  of  thofe  tranfcendent  Privileges, 
which  are  only  to  be  enjoy'd  in  Communi- 
on 


(  n8) 

on  with  him.     I  will  go  and  return  to  my 

firjl  Husband  ;  for  then  was  it  better  with 

me  than  now.     'Tis  as  if  fhe  fhould  fay, 

*  The  Creatures  grieve  me,  and  I  do  but 
4  wound  my  felf,  in  feeking  Delight  in  'em  : 

*  Til  go  therefore  unto  Chrift,  my  firjl  Hus- 

*  band,  who  is  all  Love,  as  well  as  Loveli- 
c  nefs,  and  will  therefore  readily  receive 

*  me  again  -,for  it  was  better  with  me  when 

*  I  lived  in  his  Bofom,  than  it  is  now  I  have 
f  forfaken  him :  I'll  therefore  return  again 
1  unto  him,  as  my  complacent  Reft,  my 
<  Soul-fatisfying  All/ 

And,  Oh,  happy  Souls,  who  are  thus 
wrought  upon  under  Trials,  and  brought  to 
the  Bofom  of  God  by  Afflictions  !  Has  this 
been  thy  Cafe,  my  dear  Brother  ?  It  is  the 
Lords  doing,  and  let  it  be  marvellous  in  thy 
Eyes.  If  he  brings  thee  to  himfelf,  what 
matter  how  ?  And  be  affur'd,  that  none  of 
thy  Afflictions,  whether  from  within  or 
from  without,  could,  of  themfelves,  bring 
thee  to  the  Bofom  of  God  under  any  Trial. 
No,  'tis  he  himfelf  that  brings  thee,  when- 
ever thou  art  brought.  Praife  his  Name 
therefore,  in  that  he  deals  with  thee  as  a 
Child,  bleffing  his  Rod,  to  make  thee  holy. 
The  Ungodly  never  have  one  fan&ify'd 
Affliction  in  their  whole  Courfe  :  But  unto 
us  that  believe  in  Jefus,  Afflictions  are  Fin- 
ing-Pots, to  make  us  bright  and  glorious. 

They 


(  »9) 

They  are  all  Mercies  to  us  :  They  flow 
from  Mercy,  they  are  manag'd  by  Mercy, 
and  they  end  in  Mercy :  For  God  cannot 
be  diiappointed  of  his  Defign  therein  -y  to 
wit,  his  own  Glory,andour  fpecial  Advan- 
tage.    There  is  fome thing  to  be  done  upon 
us  in  all  the  Changes  which  pafs  over  us  : 
One  Providence  lias  one  Thing  to  do  upon 
us ;  another,  another ;    and  God,  in  and  by 
all,  is  working  us  up  into  Conformity  to 
Chrift  in    Holinefs,  in  order  to  our  being 
conformed  unto  him  in  Glory.     And  what- 
ever he  does  with  us,  he  is  ftill  carrying  on 
our  Salvation,  in  that  Way  which  infinite 
Wifdom  fees  beft  for  us.  Therefore  cajl  thy 
Care  upon  him   that  careth  for  thee  -,  and 
follow  thy  Lord  in  all  his  Ordinances,  and 
in  all  his  Providences  :  For  thy  dear  Lord 
Jefus  will  be  thy  Guide  and  fweet    Com- 
panion thro'  the  Wildernefs,  until  he  bring 
thee  home  to  Glory,  and  let  thee  before  his 
Father's  Face,  in  whofe  Prefence  is  Fulnefs 
of  Joy,  and    Rivers  of  Pleafure  for  ever- 
more.    Say  with  David,     2  Sam.  xxiii.  5. 
AIM  my  Houfe  be  not  jo  with  God  -,  yet  he 
hath  made  with  me  an  everlafting  Covenant , 
order  d  in  all  things  and  Jure  :  For  this  is 
all  my  Salvation,  and  all  my  Defire,  alt  ho*  he 
he  make  it  not  to  grow.     I  am, 

with  dear  Love,  yours  in  the  Lord,  &c; 

LET- 


(    120   ) 

mmmmm — — — — — — —  — mmmm mm — — — wmmm — — — — ■ 

LETTER    XVII. 

5ft  Mr*.  B. 

Dear  and  Honour 9d  Sifter, 

y^l  Race  unto  you,  and  Peace  be  multi- 
VJT  ply'd  from  God  our  Father,  and 
from  Jefus  Chrift  our  Lord. 

Having  heard  of  thy  Diftrefs,  by  reafon 
of  the  Lofs  of  near  Relatives,  it  was  on  my 
Heart  to  write  a  few  Lines  unto  thee.  And 
I  would  fay  unto  you,  as  our  dear  Lord  to 
his  Difciples,  let  not  your  Heart  be  troubled^ 
neither  let  it  be  afraid,  John  xiv.27.  Be  not 
troubled  for  the  Lofs  of  your  dear  Relati- 
ons :  For  it  is  the  Lord's  Hand  that  took 
them  away  -,  and  he  has  done  all  things 
well ;  well,  for  his  own  Glory,  and  well, 
for  your  Soul's  Advantage  :  He  has  done 
all  fo  well,  that  nothing  could  be  better 
than  it  is.  You  know  he  has  a  fovereign 
Right  to  give  Mercies  to  his  Creatures,  or 
take  them  away  as  he  pleafes  -,  but  he  ex- 
ercifeth  this  Sovereignty  towards  his  Chil- 
dren, in  a  way  of  fpecial  Love  and  Grace. 
And  if  you  cou'd  believe  ftedfaftly  the 
Love  of  your  Father's  Heart,  in  thefe  fmart 

Strokes 


(    121    ) 

Strokes  of  his  Hand  ;  you  would  fee 
no  Caufe  to  be  angry,  like  Jonah,  for  the 
Lofs  of  his  Gourd,  Chap.  iv.  9.  but  ra- 
ther, to  fay,  with  Eli,  It  is  the  LOR  D  : 
let  him  do  what  jeemeth  him  good,  1  Sam.  ni. 
18.  And  with  Job,  the  LORD  gave,  and 
the  LORD  hath  taken  away  y  bleffedbe  the 
Name  of  the  LORD,  Chap.  i.  21.  Hit,, 
my  dear  Sifter,  I  truft  you  are  not  angry 
at  what  the  Lord  has  done,  but  only 
troubled  for  your  Lofs. 

But  as  to  this  confider,  you  have  not  loft 
your  God  ;  you  have  Him  ftill  ;  and  in 
having  Him  you  have  all3even  in  the  Want 
of  all  ,  and  therefore  need  not  be  much 
troubled.  Let  them  be  at  their  Wits  End, 
and  break  their  Hearts  for  the  Lofs  of 
Creatures,  who  have  no  Intereft  in  God  : 
But  as  for  us,  that  have  the  LORD  for 
our  Portion,  we  are  fo  rich,  that  we  can 
never  be  made  poor  5  and  fo  happy,  that 
we  have  always  Caufe  of  rejoicing  ,  and  it 
well  becomes  us,  when  we  have  nothing 
of  the  Creature  to  rejoice  in,  to  polfefs  all 
Things  in  GOD,  and  glory  in  Him  as  our 
ALL  !  May  not  Chrift  fay  to  thee,  my 
dear  Sifter,  as  Elkanah  to  Hannah^  JVhv 
weepeji  thou  ?  and  why  eateji  thou  not  ?  and 
why  is  thy  Heart  grieved?  Am  not  I  better 
to  thee  than  ten  Sons  f  1  Sam.  i.  8.  Is  not 
F  Chdft 


(     122    ) 

Chrift  better  than  ten  Sons  ?  Infinitely  bet- 
ter than  all  the  Creatures,  both  in  the  up- 
per and  lower  Worlds  ?  And  haft  thou 
him,  and  yet  troubled  !  Oh  wipe  thy 
Eyes,  and  weep  no  more  for  the  Lofs  of  the 
Creature,  when  thou  haft  the  Creator !  for 
the  Shadow,  when  thou  haft  the  Subftance  ! 
for  a  Beam,  when  thou  haft  the  Body  of 
the  Sun !  for  the  Stream,  when  thou  haft 
theFountain  !  and  for  a  Drop,when  thou  haft 
the  Ocean  !  If  there  is  not  enough  in  Chrift 
to  fill  thy  Heart  with  Gladnefs,  then  go  on 
to  mourn  -y  but  if  there  is,  pafs  off  from 
the  Creatures,  run  to  his  Bofom,  and  folace 
thyfelf  with  his  infinite  Sweetnefs,  his 
boundlefs  Excellencies,  and  his  incompre- 
henfible  Glory  !  Are  the  Creatures  gone  ? 
Thou  haft  not  loft  much  -,  nay,  nothing 
of  that  full  and  comprehenfive  Happinefs, 
which  God  has  prepar'd  for  thee  in  his  Son. 
Hadft  thou  once  fome  Sweetnefs  in  the 
Creatures,  and  doft  thou  now  want  it  ? 
Care  not  much  for  it  -,  fince  Chrift  ftands 
in  all  Relations  to  thee,  and  will  fill  them 
up  with  his  own  infinite  Sweetnefs,  thro' 
Time,  and  to  Eternity.  There  are  no 
Comforts  in  the  Creatures,  but  what  God 
puts  into  'em-;  and  none  to  be  enjoy 'd  in 
them ,  but  what  are  mixt  with  Croffes. 
jBut  in  Chrift,  there's  Joy  without  Sorrow, 
Light  without  Darknefs,   Sweet   without 

Bitter, 


(  I23  ) 

Bitter,  and  Life  without  an  End  !  Thy 
Husband,  Chrift,  ever  lives,  and  ever  loves ; 
and  becaufe  he  lives,  thou  thou  Jhalt  live 
alfo-y  thy  Life  is  fecur'd  in  his.  Think 
but,  in  Faith,  what  Chrift  is  to  thee,  has 
done,  and  will  do  for  thee ;  and  I  dare  fay 
thou'lt  want  none  but  him,  to  make  thy 
Happinefs  complete.  He  has  infinite  Bowels 
to  companionate  and  fuccour  thee  in  all 
thy  Diftreffes ;  infinite  Wifdom,to  order  all 
Things  for  the  beft  for  thee  ->  infinite  Pati- 
ence, to  pafs  by  all  thy  Provocations  ;  infi- 
nite Mercy,  to  forgive  all  thy  innumerable 
TranfgrefTions  ;  infinite  Fulnefs,  to  fupply 
all  thy  Wants ;  infinite  Power,  to  defend 
thee  from  all  Harms,  and  fave  thee  from 
all  Mifery  unto  all  Glory;  and  in  infinite 
Faithfulnefs,  he  will never  leave ',  nor  for  fake 
thee  !  Others  may  leave  thee,  but  Chrift 
will  never  fail  thee.  Friends  may  ft  and  a- 
loof  from  thy  Sore  ;  but  Chrift  will  know 
thy  Soul  in  Adverjity.  Yea,  faith  he,  the 
Mountains  JJjall  depart,  and  the  Hills  be  re- 
moved ;  but  my  Kindnefs  fall  not  depart 
fro?n  thee,  nor  the  Covenant  of  my  Peace  be 
removed,  faith  the  LORD,  that  hath  Mercy 
on  thee,  Iia.  liv.  10.  And  what  can  ft  thou 
want  more?  Oh,  nothing  but  Enjoyment 
of  Chrift,  to  make  thee  perfectly  happy  ! 
Labour  therefore,  to  live  upon  him,  as  thy 
F  2  Timer- 


(  iH) 

Time-Portion,  as  well  as  thy  eternal  ALL: 
For  this  will  be  for  his  Glory,  and  thy 
Comfort.  It  will  be  fof  the  Glory  of  thy 
Lord,  if  thou  put  him  for  a  Well,  a  never- 
failing  Well  of  Confolation,  while  thou 
art  paffing  thro'  the  Valley  of  Baca,  this 
World  of  Trials  $  and  in  acquainting  thy- 
felf  with  him,  thou  fhalt  have  Peace  5  fuch 
Peace  that  the  World  can  neither  give,  nor 
take,  fuch  jfoy  that  a  Stranger  intermed- 
dleth  not  with, 

c  Aye,  fay  ft  thou,  but  this  is  my  Mifery, 
c  I  am  fo  chain 'd  down  to  Senfe,  and  fen- 
1  fible  Enjoyments,  that  my  Soul  is  oft  in 

*  Prijbn,  and  I  cannot  come  forth  into  the 

*  Liberty  and  Sweetnefs  of  my  Lord's 
<  Bofom  \  Well,  if  this  be  thy  Cafe, 
Chrift  can  come  to  thee,  when  thou  canft 
not  come  to  him  :  He  can  come  leaping  on 
the  Mountains,  Jkipping  in  the  Hills  -,  thofe 
Hills  of  Difficulty,  which  are  too  great  for 
thee  to  climb  over  to  get  to  him  -,  and  fuch 
his  Grace,  that  he  will  come.  I  will  not 
leave  you  comfortlefs,  fays  he,  I  will  come 
unto  you,  John  xiv.  18.  And  if  Chriji 
comes  unto  us,  he  brings  all  Salvation 
with  him  :  He  brings  Life,  Light,  Liberty, 
Joy,  Glory,  all  that  our  Souls  can  want. 
He  can,  with  a  Word  of  his  Mouth,  break 
our  Bands  afunder,  knock  off  our  Fetters, 

ftrengthen 


ftrengthen  our  weak   Faith,    and  give  us 
Acceis,  in  an  Inftant,  into  the  glorious  Li- 
berty of  the  Sons  of  God.     So  mighty  is 
our  Beloved,  that  he  can  do  it  $  fo  gracious, 
and  fo  faithful,    that  he  will  do  it.     Thy 
Maker,  thy  Husband,  will  have  companion 
upon  thee  in  all  thy  Soul-Diftreffes,  as  well 
as  in  all  thy  outward  Troubles  ;  and  he'll 
comfort  thee  in  all  thy  Tribulation.     Thy 
dear   Lord  Jefus  will  be  thy   Companion . 
all  the    Way  thro'    the  Wildernefs  :    Do 
not  think  that  thou  art  left  to  go  thro'  the 
World  alone  :  No,  thou  haft  thy  Beloved 
with  thee,to  conduct,  fupport,  comfort,  and 
proted:  thee  in  thy  Paffage  home  to  Glory. 
And  when  thou  doft  not  fee  his  Face,  be- 
lieve it,  his  Heart  is  the  fame  towards  thee 
as  ever  -,  and  thou  art  then  cail'd  to  live 
by  Faith,    rejoicing  in  Hope  of  the  Glory 
of  God  :  For  tho':  for  a  [mall  Moment  he. 
mayforfake  thee,  as  to  his  fenfiblc  Prefence, 
yet,    (as  he'll  never  forfake  thee  as   to  his 
real,  gracious  Prefence,  fo)  with  everlafting 
Kindnefs  he  will  have  Mercy  upon  thee  :  And 
he'll  quickly  take  thee  up  to  Glory,  where 
thou  malt  fee  his  Face,  without  the  lean: 
Cloud  to  interpofe  for  ever.    And  then  he'll 
wipe  all  Tears  from  thy  Eyes,  and  open  the 
Myftery  of  his  Providences,  which  here 
thou  haft  been  try'd  with,  as  having  been 
F  3  all 


(  126  ) 

all  confident  with  his  everlafting  KindneS 
towards  thee,  and  fubfervient  to  thy  eter- 
nal Salvation.  Therefore  lift  up  thy  Head  ; 
for  what  thou  knoweft  ?tot  now,  thou  fialt 
know  hereafter. 

The  Grace  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  be 
with  thy  Spirit.     Amen.     I  am, 

with  dear  Love,  yours  in  him,  &c. 


LETTER    XV1IL 

To  Mrs.  L, 

Dear  Friend, 

NOT  having  Ability  of  Body  to  give 
you  a  Viiit,  I  was  willing  to  write 
a  Line  to  you  under  your  prefent  Concern. 
And  I  would  fay  unto  thee,  as  Paul  and 
Si  fas  to  the  Jaylor,  A5ls  xvi.  3  1.  Believe 
en  the  Lord  J  ejus  Chrift,  and  ikon  jhait  be 
Javed.  God  the  Father,  from  his  great 
Love  to  poor  Sinners,  even  when  they  were 
dead  in  Sins,  did  give  his  own  Son  to  be 
their  Saviour  -,  he  call'd  him  to  this  work, 
and  anointed  him  for  it  ;  and  when  he  lent 
him  forth  into  the  World,  he  gave  this- 
Commandment  to  loft  Sinners,  that  they 
Jhould  believe  on  the  Name  tf  his  Son  Jefus 

Chrift, 


(  I27  > 
Chrifl,  i  John  iii.  23.     And  this  is  the  Wilt 
of  him  that  fent  me,   faith  our  Lord,  that 
every  one  that  jeeth  the  Son,  and  believeth 
on  him,  may  have  everlajting  Life,.  John  vi. 
40.      And   this    Lord  Jefus    is   infinitely 
able  to  fave  thern  to  the titter  mo  ft ,  who  come 
unto  God  by  him,   Hcb.  vii.  25.      And  to 
(hew  that  he  is  as  willing  as  he  is  able,  he 
jays,  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labour,  and 
are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  Refl, 
Matt.  xi.  28.     And  he  has  given  the  high- 
eft  Afiurance  of  Happinefs  unto  that  Soul 
which  believes  in  him  :  Johnvi.  46.  Verily, 
verily,   1  fay  unto  you,   he  that  believeth  on 
me,  hath  everlajting  Life.     And  believing 
on  Chrift  is,  looking  unto  him  for  Salvation : 
IJa.  xlv.  22.  Committing  the  Soul  into  his 
Hands,   to  be  kept  from  eternal   Mifery, 
and  brought  unto  eternal  Glory,  1  Tim.  u 
12.     'Tis  trufting  in  his  Name,  Matt.  xii. 
2 1 .  and  re '/ting  upon  him,  as  the  Foundation 
God  has  laid  in  Sion;  or 'tis  the  Soul's  laying 
the  whole  Weight   and  Strefs  of  its  Salva- 
tion, building  all  its  Hope  of  Life  upon 
Chrift  alone,  from  a  difcerning  of  his  Pre- 
cioufnefs,    as  that  Rock  againjt   which  the 
Gates  of  Hell  Jhall  not  prevail,  &c.  1  Cor.  iii. 
11.      1  Peter  ii.  7.    Matt.  xvi.  18. 

Well    then,  doft  thou  fee  thyfelf  to  be 

utterly  undone  by  reafon  of  Sin  ?  Here's  a 

F  4  Saviour 


(  i*8  ) 

Saviour  provided,  and  a  great  One:  Look 
unto  him,  and  thou  ihalt  live  for  ever. 
However  great  thy  Sins  are  in  themfelves, 
or  appear  to  be  in  thy  View,  they  are 
not  too  great  to  be  pardon'd  ;  Chrijt  is  in- 
finitely greater,  as  a  Saviour,  than  thou 
canft  be  as  a  Sinner.  He  is  mighty  to  fave  ; 
yea,  almighty.  He  fays,  Look  unto  me,  and 
be  ye  faved ,  all  the  Ends  of  the  Earth,  Ifa. 
xlv.  22.  He  commands  Sinners  at  the 
greatefi  Diftance,  to  look  unto  him  the 
great  Saviour  ;  and  unto  every  Soul  that 
looks,  he  fays,  5^  ye  faved  :  He  is  fo  mighty 
to  fave,  that  he  faves  with  a  Word  of  his 
Mouth.  And  that  becaufe  he  is  God  ;  as 
it  follows  there  -,for  I  ant  Gcd,  and  there  is 
none  elfe.  So  that  his  Almightinefs,  as  God, 
is  engag'd  to  fave  every  Soul  that  looks  unto 
him  for  Life.  Yea,  all  the  Perfections  of 
his  Nature  are  engag'd  for  the  Salvation  of 
that  Soui ;  his  infinite  Love,  Mercy,  Wif- 
dom,  Truth,  Faithfulnefs,  &c.  And  is 
not  here  enough  to  lave  thee  ?  Look  to  him 
therefore,  and  thou  (halt  be  faved.  Thou 
fhalt  be  faved,  whoever  fays  nay  :  If  Satan 
fays  nay,  or  if  thy  unbelieving  Heart  fays 
nay,  it  matters  not  -,  ChriiVs  Word  ihall 
ftand,  and  bring  all  Salvation  to  thee,  not- 
withftanding  all  the  Oppoiition  that  can  be 
made  againft  it.   He  would  have  thee  look 

to 


(   ™9  ) 

to  him  as  God ;  and  that  will  anfwer  all  thy 
Objections.  What  are  all  thy  Crimfon 
and  Scarlet-dyyd  Sins,  before  the  infinite 
Merit  of  his  Blood,  that  cleanfeth  from  all 
Sin  !  Ifa.  i.  18.  i  John  i.  7.  What's  all 
the  Power  of  thy  fpiritual  Enemies,  before 
the  omnipotent  Strength  of  the  LORD 
thy  Saviour !  who  travels  in  the  Greatnefs 
of  his  Strength  to  fave  Sinners,  and  tread 
down  their  Enemies  !  Ifa.  lxii.  1.  What 
is  all  thy  Unworthinefs  and  Sinfulnefs,  be- 
fore free,  reigning  Grace,  and  boundlefs 
Mercy,  in  its  glorious  Superaboundings  ! 
Rom.  v.  21.  1  Tim.  i.  14.  If  the  Lord 
will  be  gracious  to  thee,  and  will  fliew 
Mercy  on  thee  ;  who,  or  what  fhall  hinder 
it  ?  Remember,  he  will  be  gracious  to  thee 
as  GOD3  and  if  thou  wanted  all  the  Mer- 
cy and  Grace  that  is  in  him  to  fave  thee, 
thou  {halt  have  it,  if  thou  looked,  as  a 
perifhing  Sinner,  unto  Chrijl  alone  for  Sal- 
vation. When  Chrift  faves  a  Sinner,  he 
does  it  with  his  whole  Heart,  ami  his  whole 
Soul,  Jer.  xxxii.  40,  41.  Every  one  he 
faves  is  as  much  interefbd  in  all  the  Grace 
of  the  Saviour  for  his  Salvation,  as  if  Chrift 
had  never  another  in  the  World  to  fave, 
befides  him.  And  what  thinkeft  thou  now  ? 
Is  all  the  Grace  that  is  in- Chrift,  enough  to 
F  5  iave 


(  i3°  ) 
fave  thee  ?  Believeft  thou  that  he   is  able 
to  do  this  ?  Aye,  foyft  thou,  if  I  was  one 
of  his ;  but  that  I  am  afraid  of. 

Well,  if  thou  canft  not  come  to  him  as 
a  Child  >  come,  as  the  Woman  of  Canaan y 
who  thought  herfelf  to  be  as  unworthy  as 
a  Dog,  and  plead  for  the  Crumbs  which  fall 
from  the  Childrens  Table  ;  and  Chriji  will 
fay  unto  thee,  as  he  did  unto  her,  O  Wo- 
man, great  is  thy  Faith,  be  it  unto  thee  even, 
as  thou  wilt,  Matt.  xv.  27,  28.  Come 
therefore,  come  as  thou  canft,  with  all  thy 
Mifery,  and  caft  thyfelf  down  at  Jefus 
Feet,  and  thou  {halt  find  Mercy.  For  ht 
that  believeth  onhimjhati  never  be  confounded* 
1  Peter  ii.  6.  Seek  the  LORD  therefore, 
while  he  may  be  found,  and  call  upon  him 
while  he  is  near.  For  he  hath  faid,  Let  the 
Wicked  for  fake  his  Way,  and  the  unrighteous 
Man  his  Thoughts  -,  and  let  him  return  unto 
the  LORD,  and  he  will  have  Mercy  upon 
him,  and  to  our  God,  for  he  will  abundantly 
pardon,  Ifa.  lv.  6,  7.  Come  therefore, 
come,  and  try  what  infinite  Mercy  will,  do 
for  thee:  For  there  never  was  any  poor, 
needy  Soul  that -came  to  the  Throne  of 
Grace  to  find  Mercy,  however  great  his  Sins 
and  his  Wants  were,  that  was  fen t  away 
empty,  nor  fhall  be,  unto  the  \Vor.ld!s 
End  5  iince  Chnft  ever  liveth  to  fave  them 

to 


(  i3«  ) 

to  the  uttermofty  who  come  unto  God  by  him, 
Heb.  vii.  25. 

Wifhing  Grace,  Mercy,  and  Peace  may 
be  multiply'd  unto  thee,  in  the  Manifefta- 
tion  of  free  Pardon,  to  the  rilling  of  thy 
Heart  with  Joy  unfpeakable,  and  full  of 
Glory,     lam, 

with  dear  Love,  thine  in  the  Lord,  &c. 


LETTER    XIX. 

To  Mr.  W.  G. 

Dear  Brother,  whom  I  love,  and  honour 
in  the  Lord, 

\  T^OUR  Labour  of  Love,  which  you 
have  fhewed  towards  his  Name, 
Gofpel,  and  Caufe  in  B— s,  fhall  be  abun- 
dantly own'd,  and  crown'd  in  the  Day  of 
Chrift ;  when  you  fhall  find,  to  your  un- 
fpeakable Joy  and  Glory,  that  none  of 
your  Labour  has  been  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 
Wherefore  be  ftedfaft,  unmoveable,  always 
abounding  therein.  I  rejoice  that  the  Lord 
has  given  you  a  large  Heart,  and  aa  open 
Hand  for  him,  who  gave  himfelf,  his  great 
Self  for  you.  Surely  I  can  fay,  with  De- 
F  6  borahy 


In* ) 

borah,  My  Heart  is  toward  the  Governors 
c/^Ifrael,  that  offer  d  themfehes  willingly  to 
the  Help  of  the  Lord,  Judg.  v.  9,  23.      I 
am  glad  that  the  Love  of  Chrift  conftrains 
you  to  give  up  yourfelf  and  your  all  unto 
him.     And,  believe  it,  my  dear  Brother, 
you  mail  lofe  nothing  by  it.     Our  Lord  has 
told  us,  that  a  Cup  oj  cold  Water  given  to  a 
Difciple,  in  the  Name  of  a  Difciple,  or  be- 
caufe  he  belongs  to  Chrift,  Jhall  in  no  wife 
lofe  its  Reward.     And  when  he  appears  the 
fecond  Time,  without  Sin,  unto  Salvation, 
he  comes  to  give  Rewards  unto  his  Ser- 
vants, and  to  all  that  fear  him,  both  Jmall 
and  great,  according  to  their  Works.  And 
oh,  how  brightly  (hall  the  Saints  then  fhine 
in  the  Kingdom  of  their  Father,  with  a  pro- 
portionable Glory,   unto  all  their  various 
Services  which  they  have  been  enabled  to 
do  for  God  in  this  prefent  State  ! 

'Tis  true  we  owe  ourfelves,  and  our  all, 
had  we  ten  thoufand  times  more  than  we 
have,  to  our  dear  LORD;  whom  we 
can  never,  no  not  to  Eternity,  fufficient- 
ly  love,  ferve,  and  honour,  for  what 
he  is  in  himfelf,  unto  us,  and  has  done  for 
us  :  So  that  our  utmoft  Service  is  our 
Duty  ;  and  could  we  do  all  that  is  com- 
manded, we  mould  ftill  be  but  unprofitable 
Servants :  For  who  hath  given  himy  (in  a 

Way 


(  *33  ) 

Way  of  Defert  or  Merit)  and  it  flail  be 
recompenfed  to  him  again  ?  No,  all  Flejh 
here  muft  be  filent  before  the  L  O  R  D  of 
GLORY  !  And  the  Saints  have  fuch  a 
Sight  of  the  Lamb's  Worthinefs,  and  of 
their  own  Unworthinefs,that  their  Mouths, 
of  all  other,  are  flopped  3  they'll  never  open 
their  Mouth  before  him ,  and  fay,  we  have 
done  many  mighty  Works  in  thy  Name, 
which  deferve  thy  Notice  :  No,  the  Re- 
membrance of  their  own  Shame,  together 
with  the  Soul-ravifhing  Profpecis  of  his 
Glory,,  will  make  them  fhrink  to  nothing 
before  his  infinite  Majefty,  Love  and  Grace, 
in  the  Review  of  their  beft  Services ;  faying, 
Lor d,  when  Jaw  we  thee  an  hungredy  and 
Jed  thee  ?  &c.  Ezek.  xvi.  63.     Matt.  xxv. 

37- 

But  yet,  fuch  is  the  boundlefs  Grace  of 

our  Lord  and  Matter,  our  Friend  and  Bro- 
ther, our  Head  and  Husband,  that  none  of 
our  Services,  no  not  the  lean:  that  we  are 
enabled  to  do  for  him,  (hall  go  unrewarded. 
He'll  call  the  Performance  of  our  Dutv, 
Kindnefs ;  the  Acls  of  our  Service,  Friend- 
{hip  ;  Jer.  ii.  2.  Jam.  ii.  21,  23.  And 
infinite  Love  will  reward  'em,  according  to 
the  E ft i mate  it  puts  upon  them.  Ye  are 
they,  faith  our  Lord,  wl  :ch  have  continued 
with  me  in  my  Temptations.     And  I  appoint 

u  ■ 


*34  ) 
unto  you  a  Kingdom,  as  my  Father  hath  ap- 
pointed unto  ??ie  :  That  you  may  eat  and  dr ink 
at  my  Table  in  my  Kingdom,  and  fit  on 
Thrones,  judging  the  twelve  Tribes  of  Ifrael, 
Luke  xxii.  2v;,  29,  30.  Oh,  infinite  Grace ! 
How  will  our  Lord  honour  his  Servants  ! 
He  calls  us  Friends  ;  and  then  advanceth 
us  as  fuch.  He  works  all  pur  Works  in  us 
and  by  us,  and  then  calls  'em  ours.  He  en- 
ables us  to  overcome,  and  then  crowns  us 
as  Overcomers  -y  granting  us  to  ft  with 
him  in  his  Throne,  as  he  overcame,  and  is 
fet  down  with  his  Father  in  his  Throyie. 
And  herein  he  ads  like  himfelf,  as  the  God 
of  all  Grace!  while  every  Saint  (hall  receive 
his  own  Reward,  according  to  his  own 
Labour,  Rev.  iii.  21.  1  Cor.  iii.  8.  Blefled 
then  are  thofe  Servants,  which  can  do  moft 
for  Chrift  in  this  Day  ;  fince,  in  that  Day 
of  his  Kingdom,  he'll  gird  himfelf,  make 
them  ft  don.on  to  Meat,  and  come  forth  and 
ferve  them,  Luke  xii.  37.  A  Phrafe  that 
has  more  Grace  in  it,  than  we  can  take  in  ! 
Wherefore,  my  beloved  Brother,  Stand faft 
in  the  LORD,  abounding  in  his  Work  ;  as 
having  refpeci  unto  the  Recompenfe  of  the 
REWARD! 

Wifhing  you  may  have  the  Joy,  a*s  a 
Friend  of  the  Bridegroom,  to  fee  him  have 

the 


(  135) 
the  Bride,    (in  the  Succefs  of  the  Gofpel, 
in   the  Converfion    of  many  in  B— s) 

I  am,  with  dear  Love,  and  due  Refpe£ty 

Tours  in  the  Lord,  &c. 


LETTER    XX. 

To  Mrs.  S. 

Dear  and  honour* d  Sifter r 

GRace  unto  ybu,  and  Peace  be  mul- 
tiplied. 
it  is  the  Pleafure  of  the  Lord,  your  Fa- 
ther, to  lay  his  chaftning  Hand  upon  your 
Body  ;  but  fince  this  very  Chaitifement 
flows  from  the  boundlefs  Love  of  his  Heart, 
and  was  determin'd  by  his  infinite  Wifdom, 
for  his  own  Glory  and  your  Advantage, 
receive  it  with  Thankfulnefs.  You'il  blels 
God  for  it,  when  you  come  to  Heaven  -f 
and  fee  how  needful  it  was  for  you  to  pafs 
this  Way,  thro'  this  AfiMion,  to  Glory  : 
Therefore  begin  the  Work  of  Praife  now. 
The  Lord's  Defign  herein,  is  not  to  deftroy, 
but  to  refine  you  5  to  make  you  more  con- 
formable unto  Chrift,  your  glorious  Head, 
in  Suffering :  And  as  Chriil  firit  suffered, 

and 


(  136) 

and  then  entrcd  into  his  Glory,  fo  muft 
you.  There's  a  Glory  to  follow  the  Suffer- 
ings of  Chrift  myftical,  as  there  was  of 
Chrift  perfonal.  The  Members  muft  have 
Fellowship  with  their  Head,  firft  in  Suffer- 
ings, and  then  in  Glory :  For  if  we  fuffer 
with  himy  we  /kail  aljo  be  glorify' d  together, 
Rom.  viii.  17.  We  mould  look  upon  the 
Sufferings  of  Chrift  with  a  double  View. 

Fir fly  As  he  fuffered  in  our  ftead,  to 
fatisfy  Juftice,  and  bring  us  to  God,  1  Peter 
iii.  18.  And  fo,  we  don't  fuffer  with  him. 
No,  bleffed  be  God,  of  the  People  there  was 
none  with  him,  in  this  refpecl,  Ifa.  lxiii.  3. 
Our  mighty  Mediator,  on  whom  the  Fa- 
ther laid  Help,  ftood  alone,  in  the  Great- 
nefs  of  his  Strength,  as  God-Man,  under 
the  inexprefTible  Weight  of  our  Sins,  and 
his  Father's  Wrath,  pour'd  out  upon  him 
thro'  the  Curies  of  a  broken  Law ,  iffuing 
in  that  overflowing  Deluge  of  Afflictions 
which  he  endur'd,  when  for  us  he  became 
the  Man  of  Sorrows  >  when  be  was  wounded 
for  our  TranfgreJJionSy  and  bruifed  for  our 
Iniquities.  And  hereby  he  has  for  ever 
fatisfy'd  Law  and  Juftice,  and  fully  taken 
away  the  Curfe  out  of  all  our  Afflictions  : 
For  having  drank  up  the  Wrath-Cup,  he 
left  not  one  Drop  for  us.  So  that  in  this 
refpeft,  we  don't  fuffer  with  him :  No, 

fuch 


(  137  ) 

fuch  was  the  boundlefs  Grace  of  God  to- 
wards us,  that  he  fuffer'd,  and  we  go  free  ! 
But  then,, 

Secondly.  Chrift  alfo  fujfer  d  for  us,  leav- 
ing us  an  Example,  that  we  Jhould  follow  his 
Steps,  i  Peter  ii.  21.  It  became  him  of 
whom  are  all  things,  and  by  whom  are  all 
things  ,in  the  bringing  many  Sons  unto  Glory, 
to  make  the  Captain  of  their  Salvation  per- 
fect thro'  Sufferings,  Heb.  ii.  1  o.  It  was 
a  Defign  becoming  the  infinite  Wifdom  of 
Jehovah,  to  make  his  own  Son,  as  the 
Captain  of  their  Salvation,  the  great  Leader 
of  his  People,  perfetl  thro'  Sufferings.  God 
ordain'dhis  own  Son,  in  his  aifumed  Man- 
Nature,  firft  to  Juffer,  and  then  to  enter 
into  his  Glory  3  firft  to  pafs  thro'  all  Suffer- 
ings, and  therein  to  exercife  all  Graces,  and 
at  the  End  of  his  Race  to  be  crown'd  with 
all  Glory  -y  that  io  he  might  become  the 
great  Pattern  of  Obedience  unto  all  his 
junior  Brethren,  and  the  Exemplar  of  that 
Glory,  which  they  (hall  arrive  unto,  when 
their  fuffering  State  is  ended,  as  1  Peter  ii. 
11,  12,  13.  with  Heb.  xii.  2.  And  as 
ChrifVs  Sufferings  are  propos'd  as  an  Ex- 
ample of  our  Obedience,  and  we  enabled  to 
tread  in  his  Steps  -,  fo  the  Head  and  Mem- 
bers have  a  Community  in  Sufferings.  Or, 
we  may  be  laid  to  fuffer  wilji  him,  as  I 

humbly 


(  '38) 

humbly  conceive, in  thefe  four  Refpeds :  r. 
In  that  the  Origin,  Source,  Spring- head,  or 
firft  Rife  of  Sufferings,  both  to  Chrift  and 
us,  is  the  Father's  Love.  2.  In  that  we 
bear  Affli&ions,  under  the  Influences  of  the 
fame  Spirit,  in  our  Meafure,  as  Chrift  did. 
3 .  In  that  we  have  thelameEnd  in  View,  in  our 
patientenduring  Affliction,  to  wit,  the  Glory 
of  God,  as  Chrift  had.  And,  4.  In  that  our 
Sufferings  fetve  as  a  Foil  to  fet  off  the 
Glory  which  fhall  fucceed  'em,  as  ChrifVs 
did.  Suffering,  both  to  Chrift  and  us, 
while  by  the  fame  Spirit  we  learn  Obe- 
dience under  it,  is  but  a  Preparation  for 
Glory :  As  the  dark  Ground,  the  Limner  lays, 
is  in  order  to  commend  and  fet  off  the  fair 
and  beautiful  Colours  which  he  defigns  to 
draw  upon  it.  And  Oh,  how  glorious  will 
Chrift,  whole  Chrift,  Head  and  Members 
be,  when  all  that  Glory  is  laid  upon  'em, 
which  was  ordain'd  to  follow  their  Suffer- 
ings !  Oh  thou  Afflicted,  toffed  with  Tempeft, 
and  not  co?nforted,  Behold,  faith  the  Lord, 
I  will  lay  thy  Stones  with  fair  Colours,  &c. 
I/a.  lxiv.  ii,  12.  And  Oh,  how  glorious 
will  the  Church  appear,  in  the  New  Jeru- 
falem  State,  when  this  Promife  fhall  have 
its  full  Accomplifhment,  when  the  fair 
Colours  of  Glory  are  laid  upon  her  Stones, 
which  before  were  carv'd,  and  prepaid  by 

Affliction 


(  !39  ) 

Affliction  to  receive  it  !  Affliction,  to  God's, 
People,  under  the  Management  of  infinite 
Wifdom  and  Grace,  is  like  the  Carving  of 
Letters  in  Stone,  in  order  to  overlay  'em 
with  Gold. 

Well,  my  dear  Sifter,  fince  you  fufFer 
with  Chrift,  you  need  not  be  very  forrow- 
ful  under  it ;  you  have  a  fweet  Companion 
in  all  your  Tribulation.  Your  dear  Lord 
Jefus  interefts  himfelf  in  all  your  Sorrows  ; 
I  was  Jick,  &c.  fays  lie,  Matt.  xxv.  36. 
And,  fays  Paul,  1  fill  up  that  which  is  be- 
hind of  the  Afflictions  of  Chrift  in  my  Flefo% 
Col.  i.  24.  Since  this  Affliction  in  your 
Flefh  is  ChrifVs,  fear  not  a  glorious  IfTue. 
You  are  one  of  thofe  Sons  that  are  to  be 
brought  to  Glory ;  and  in  Conformity  to 
the  Firft-born  of  the  Family,  you  are  to  be 
lov'd  home,  thro*  Affliction.  Chrift  has 
gone  before  us,  thro*  Affliction  and  Death? 
up  to  Glory  ;  and  taken  the  Curfe  and 
Bitternefs  out  of  our  Pains,  and  the  Sting 
out  of  our  Death  ;  and  now  'tis  fweet  fol- 
lowing our  Fore-runner,  who  is  for  us  en* 
tred  into  the  Prcfence  of  his  and  our  Fa- 
ther. I  fay,  following  of  him  5  becaufe 
our  Faith  is  to  eye  Chrift  as  gone  before  us 
into  Glory.  But  let  us  not  think  that  he 
is  fo  gone,  as  to  leave  us  alone  in  a  World 
of  Trials.     No,  no  5  we  have  our  Beloved 

with 


(  HP ) 

with  us,  h  "   :r.  on,  and  his  Bofom 

to  reft  in,  a  y  we  come  up  from 

the  Wildernefs,  laid,  I  will  never 

leave  thee,  not  thee,   Heb.  xiii.  5, 

And  the   G  Faithfulneis  of  this 

Promife  fecare  his  defence  with  us,  thro* 
Life,  thro'  Death,  and  to  Eternity.  And 
if  the  Lord  1  with  us,  who,  or  what  need 
we  fear  ?  S.  we  may  boldly  fay ,7 'he 

Lord  is  my  Helper,  F  will  not  fear  what  any 
Creature \  or  thing,  can  do  unto  me.  For 
neither  Death  y  nor  Life,  nor  Angels,  nor 
Principalities,  nor  Powers,  nor  Things  pre- 
Jent,  nor  Things  to  come,  nor  Height ,  nor 
Depth,  nor  any  other  Creature,  Jhall  be  able 
to  J e par  ate  us  ft  om  the  Love  of  God  which 
is  in  Chrift  Jefus  our  Lordy    Rom.  via. 

38>  39- 

And  now,  that  you  may  be  ftrengthned 

with  all  Might,  unto  all  Patience,  and  Long- 

fuffering  with  Joyfulnefs,  is  the  earneft  De- 

fire  of, 

Tour  humble  Servant  in  the  Lord}  &c. 


LET- 


(  Hi  ) 

<     .■  i '    '        '  "  i  ■  ■ 

LETTER     XXI. 
To  Mrs.   K. 

Dear  friend,  and  honour  d  Sifter, 

I  Beg  leave  to  return  humble  and  hearty 
Thanks  to  you  and  Mr.  K.  for  all 
that  great  Kindnefs  you  have  fhewn  to  the 
Caufe  of  Chriit  here,  in  its  low  Eftate  ; 
and  unto  us  the  leaft  in  our  Father's  Houfe. 
And  be  aflur'd,  that  none  of  your  Labour 
Love  (hall  in  any  wife  lofe  its  Reward. 
The  Lord  abundantly  inrich  your  Souls 
with  his  Grace,  and  caufe  you  to  inherit 
Subftance,  the  true  Riches,  where  neither 
Moth  nor  Rujt  can  corrupt. nor  Thieves  break 
thro"  to  ftcai.  All  thirtgsjiere  are  Shadows, 
that  have  nothing  in  them  iuited  to  the 
Nature  of  an  immortal  3oui :  The  beft  of 
worldly  Enjoyments  are  empty,  and  paf- 
fing  away  -,  but  the  Riches  of  Chrifl,  are 
both  durable  and  unfearchable  !  And  oh 
that  the  Lord,  the  Spirit,  may  give  unto 
you  a  Si^ht  of  your  Intereft  in  thofe  im- 
menfe  Treasures  !  if  we  have  Chrifl,  we 
have  all  -,  all  for  Time,  and  ai!  for  Eternity ! 
Oh  the  exceeding  Precioufnefs  of  Chriit.  ! 

and 


((    142.) 

arid  the  Happinefs  of  that  Soul  who  is  in- 
terefted  in  him !  Neither  Men  nor  Angels 
can  tell  it  out.  The  whole  World,  with 
all  the  Variety  of  Creatures  and  Things  in 
it,  can't  fill  the  Heart  of  one  Man.  But 
One  Chrift  can  fill  the  largeft  Soul,  yea, 
Millions  of  them,  both  in  the  upper  and 
lower  Worlds,  at  once  :  Becaufe  his  Ful- 
nefs  is  infinite  !  Oh,  what  a  goodly  Heritage 
have  they,  that  have  Chrift  for  their  Por- 
tion !  And  how  happy  are  they  who  love 
him  moft,  and  ferve  him  bell:  !  Oh,  what 
a  glorious  Mailer  is  Jefus  Chrift  !  who 
makes  all  his  Servants  Kings!  who  has 
Thrones  and  Crowns  for  every  one  of  them  ; 
who  pardons  all  their  Sins,  accepts  all  their 
weak  Services,  and  in  infinite  Grace  rewards 
them  !  Yea,  that  gives  them  no  lefs  than 
his  great  SELF!  and  the  eternal  Enjoy- 
ment of  him,  as  their  exceeding  Great 
REWARD  !  What  a  Thraldom  is  the 
Service  of  Sin,  and  how  doth  it  debafe  and 
ruin  the  Soul  !  But  the  Service  of  Chrift 
is  perfect  Freedom,  and  the  higheft  Ho- 
nour !  The  whole  Hofts  of  Angels  and 
Arch-angels,  with  the  Spirits  of  jnft  Men, 
now  made  perfect  in  Heaven,  think  it  both 
their  Flonour  and  Happinefs  to  ferve  and 
glorify  Jefus  Chrift.     What  an   Honour 

then 


(  143  ) 

then  is  it  for  a  mortal,  finful  Worm,  to  be 
admitted   into   the  Service  of  this  Great 
LORD  !  and  a  kind  of  Fellowfhip  with 
the   glorious   Family    above  !    Oh,   little 
doth  the  World  think.,  what  an   Honour 
and  Happinefs  it  is   to  ferve  (Thrift  Here  ! 
nor  yet  what  Glory  he  hath  in  referve  for 
his  Servants  hereafter  !    ChrifVs    Servants 
wear  Royal  Apparel,  and  are  feafled  as  fo 
many  Princes,  even  here  ;  but  the  World 
don't   fee  their  Glory,  nor  know  their  En- 
joy men  ts,   becaufe  they  are  of  an  heavenly 
Nature  ;  and  fo  too  bright  and  high  to  be 
difcern'd  by  the  natural  Eye,  or  for  the  na- 
tural Man  to  conceive  of  !  Oh  the  amazing 
Difference    Chrift  puts  between    his  Ser- 
vants, and  the   Sen  ants  of  Sin  and  Satan, 
even  in  this  World !  Behold,  fays  he,  my 
Servants  Jhall  eat,  but  ye  fall  be  hungry  ; 
behold,  ?ny  Serva?its  jhall  drink,  but  ye  fall 
be  thirjiy  ;  behold,  my  Servants  jhall  rejoice \ 
but  ye  fall  be  ajhamed :  Behold,  my  Servants 
fallfing  for  Joy  of  Heart,  but  ye  flail  cry 
for  Sorrow  of  Heart,    and  fall  howl  for 
Vexation  of  Spirit ,  Ifa.  lxv.  13,  14.  ChrifVs 
S  rvants  have  heavenly  Manna  to  eat,  a 
pire  River  of  Water  of  Life  to  drink  of, 
the   Streams  whereof  fill  them  with  Joy 
an  J  Gkidnefs,  and  make  them  break  forth 
into  finging,   even  in  this  World  -,  while 

the 


(  H4  ) 
the  Servants  of  Sin  have  juft  the  Reverfe. 
Bat  oh,  when  Chrift  comes  again,  in  his 
Father  s  Glory,  in  his  own  Glory,  and  in  the 
Glory  of  his  hcly  Angels,  what  a  Differ- 
ence will  he  put  between  'em  then  !  When 
they  that  fear  the  LORD  mail  mine 
forth  with  an  heavenly  Splendor,  as  Jewels 
made  up  ;  and  have  fuch  an  aftonifhing 
Glory  put  upon  them,  that  the  Ungodly, 
to  their  utmoft  Shame,  and  everlafting 
Confufion,  (hall  difcern  between  the  Righte- 
ous and  the  Wicked,  between  him  that  Jerv- 
eth  God,  and  hint  thatferveth  him  not !  Mai. 
iii.   17,  18. 

Wifhing  Grace  and  Peace  from  God 
our  Father,  and  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift, 
by  the  blefled  Comforter  5      /  am, 

with  dear  Love  and  Service  to  your  whole 

Self,  yours  in  the  Lord  for  ever,  §cc* 


LET- 


(  H5  ) 

LETTER     XXII. 
To  Mrs.  D. 

Dear    Sifter  > 

C^l  Race  unto  you,  and  Peace  be  multi- 
5"  plied. 

Having  heard,  that  you  are  much   can: 
down  in  your  Soul,  under  a  Senfe  of  your 
own  Unworthinefs,    and    afraid,   on  that 
account,  that  you  are  none  of  the  Lord's  ; 
I  was  willing,  according  to  your  Defire,  to 
write  a  few  Lines  unto  you.     And  this  I 
would  fay  to  thee,  that  among  all  the  in- 
numerable    Multitude  of  God's  People, 
there  never  was,  nor  will  be  one  that  was 
faved,  becaufe  they  were  worthy  of  God's 
Love,   or  of  any  its  glorious  Fruits.     No; 
Salvation,  from  Foundation  to  Top-Stone, 
is  all  of  one  pure  Piece  of  Grace.     Free- 
Grace  is  the  Chariot  that  conveys  all  God's 
Chofen  home  to  Glory.     If  Salvation  was 
of  Works,  and  to  be  beftow'd  upon  con- 
dition of  the  Creature's  Obedience  and  in- 
herent Goodnefs,  then  you  might  be  dis- 
couraged, if  you   faw  the  want  of  thefe 
things  in  yourielfj  and  conclude  that  there 
was  no  Salvation  for  you.     But  fmce  Salva- 
tion is  of  Grace,  free,  abfolute,  unchangea- 
G  ble 


(  H6  ) 

ble  and  infinite  Grace,  why  mayn't  it  be 
for  thee  ?  Thy  Unworthinefs  can't  hinder  : 
Becaufe  Free- Grace  delights  to  glorify  its 
Riches,  in  faving  to  the  uttermoft,  thofe 
that  are  moft  unworthy.  God  has  conclud- 
ed his  Chofen,  all  in  Unbelief]  that  he  might 
have  mercy  upon  all.  And  where  Sin  has 
abounded,  Grace  doth  much  more  abound \ 
Rom.  xii.  31,  and  v.  20.  How  unreafona- 
ble  then  is  it  for  thee  to  conclude  that 
thou  art  not  the  Lord's,  becaufe  thou  art 
unworthy  >  when  all  his  are  fuch  ?  Yea,  let 
me  fay,  there  are  none  but  his,  that  fee 
themfelves  to  be  fuch. 

As  God's  Delign,  from  everlafting,  was 
to  glorify  his  Grace  to  the  utmoft,  in  fay- 
ing a  Remnant  of  poor  Sinners,  whom  he 
had  fet  his  Heart  upon,  and  chofen  to 
Life  Eternal  -,  fo,  in  the  Fufoefs  of  'Tinie^ 
he  lent  his  Son  to  die  for  'em  ;  and  at  the 
appointed  Moment,  when  their  perfonal 
Salvation  is  to  begin,  he  fends  forth  his  Spi- 
rit into  their  Hearts,  to  convince  them  of 
their  Mifery  by  Sin,and  to  (hew  them  their 
great  Unworthinefs  of  any  Favour,  in  or- 
der to  make  them  willing  to  be  beholding 
to  his  rich  Mercy  and  Free-Grace  for  the 
whole  of  their  Salvation. 

For  by  Nature,  all  Adam's  Poflerity  are 
under  the  Covenant  of  Works,  and  feek 
Life  by  the  Deeds  of  the  Law.     And  fo 

blind 


(  H7) 

blind  is  proud  Man,  and  fo  deceived  by 
Satan,  that  he  thinks  there  is  fome  Good- 
nefs  in  his  Heart  or  Life,  which  renders 
bim  worthy  of  divine  Mercy  and  Favour ; 
which  he  dares  to  plead  before  God,  as  the 
Phari/ee,  God,  I  thank  thee,  I  am  not  as  o- 
ther  Men  -,  or,  if  this  is  not  the  Language 
of  his  Mouth,  how  often  doth  he  blefs  him- 
J  elf  in  his  Heart \  in  his  fuppofed  Goodnefs  ? 
Andfo  long  as  the  Soul  refts  upon  this  Bot- 
tom, it  is  impoffible  for  it  to  enjoy  Salva- 
tion ;  God's  Way  of  faving  Sinners,  and 
the  Way  fuch  a  Soul  would  be  faved  in, 
being  fo  diametrically  oppofite.  c  I  have 
*  done  this  and  that,  and  the  other,  faith 
1  fuch  a  Soul,  Lord,  fave  me  \  There's 
no  Salvation,  faith  the  Lord,  by  the  Deeds 
of  the  Law ;  I  lave  none  but  miierable 
Sinners,  that  can  do  nothing  to  help  them- 
felves,  but  are  utterly  undone ;  my  Defign 
is  to  glorify  my  Grace  in  faving  fuch  ;  and 
no  Soul  (hall  perim,  that  is  willing  to  be 
faved  this  Way  ?  But  alas,  an  unregene- 
rate  Man  don't  like  this  Way  of  Salvation  : 
No,  he  chufes  to  cleave  to  the  Works  of 
the  Law  ;  and  living  and  dying  in  that 
State,  being  under  the  Curfe,  he  mull 
perifh  for  ever. 

But  when  God  is  about  to  apply   Salva- 
tion to  an  elect  VefTel,  he  empties  fuch  a 
G  2  Soul 


(  H8  ) 

Soul  of  all  its  conceited  Goodnefs,  and  gives 
it  to  fee  its  own  Ill-defer vings,  and  Hell- 
defervings ;  he  mews  it  its  Mifery,  and  re- 
veals the  Remedy  ;  in  order  to  make  it 
willing  to  be  faved  in  his  own  Way,  and 
to  fill  it  with  Mercy,  Grace,  and  Glory  in 
this  World,  and  that  which  is  to  come. 
God  be  merciful  to  me  a  Sinner ',  is  the  Plea  of 
fach  a  Soul.  I  will  be  merciful  to  thy  Unrigh- 
teou/he/s,  and  t by  Sim  and  thy  Iniquities  Iwill 
remember  no  more,  is  the  glorious  Anfwer  that 
it  receives  from  theLord.  Salvation  byGrace, 
the  Soul-  pleads  for  :  This  is  according  to 
God's  Heart,  and  the  eternal  Defigns  of  his 
Kindnefs ;  and  Salvation  by  Grace,  he  be- 
flows  upon  that  Soul. 

And  is  it  thus  with  thee,  my  dear  Sifter  ? 
Doit  thou  fee  thy  own  Vilenefs  and  Un- 
worthinefs,  and  derire  to  be  faved  alone  by 
Grace :  Be  of  good  Comfort,  for  thou  art 
a  VeiTel  of  Mercy  ;  prepared  unto  Glory. 
God's  free,  full,  and  everlafdng  Salvation 
was  pre  par 'd  for  thee  ;  and  thy  Heart,  by 
the  Work  of  the  Spirit,  is  prepar'd  to  re- 
ceive it :  And  what  then  mail  hinder  thy 
Enjoyment  of  it  ?  Thou  art  certainly  one 
of  the  Lord's  ;  or  elfe  thou  hadft  never 
been  made  willing  to  be  faved  in  God's 
Way.  Art  thou  willing  to  be  faved  by 
Jcfus  Chrift  ?  'Twas  in  the  Day  of  his 
Poiffer;thzt  thy  ftubborn  Will  was  fubdu'd, 

and 


(  *49  ) 

and  fvveetly  drawn  into  Subjection  to  him- 
felf,  as  the  alone  Saviour.     Thy  Salvation 
is    already  begun  j  and  fear    not  the  fall 
Accomplishment  of  it.     Chrift  has  faved 
thee,   to    Willingnefs  -,    and  will  give  thee 
all  that    Salvation  thy  willing  Soul  deli  res. 
And  what  tho'  thou  art  vile,  and  wretched 
in  rhyfelf ;  there's  Grace  enough  for  thee 
in  the    Heart  of  God  ,    and  Salvation  c- 
nough    in  the     Perfon    of   Chrift,  which 
thou  art    calPd  to    receive  freely.       Come 
therefore,  boldly  to  the  Throne  of  Grace  , 
for    thou  (halt  find  Mercy,    and  Grace  to 
help  in  Time  of  Need,  Heb.  iv.  16.    Open 
thy  Mouth  wide,  faith  the  Lord,  the  De- 
fires  of  thy  Soul,  for  all  the  Grace  and 
Salvation  thou  needeft,    and  1  will  Jill  ity 
Pfal.  lxxxi.  10.     Thy  Sins,  tho'   an  huge 
Mafs,  yet,  were  they  ten  thoufand  times 
more  and  greater  than  they  are,are  no  more, 
when  caft  into  the  infinite  Grace  of  God, 
and  the  infinite  Merit  of  Chrift's  Blood, 
than  a  fmall  Stone  to  the  immenfe  Ocean  ; 
which  is  no  fooner  caft  therein,  but  it  is 
cover'd,  and  fwallow'd  up  of  its  unfathoma- 
ble  Depths  !    Honour  therefore  the  God 
of  all  Grace,  by  believing  his  Grace  fuffi- 
cient  to  fave  thee,  by  cafting  thyfelf  into 
the  Arms  of  his  Mercy,  and  by  crediting 
his  infinite  Faithfulnefs,  as  a  God  that  can- 
G  7  not 


(  i5o  ) 

not  lie  ;  who  has  faid,  they  that  trufi  in  the 
LORD,  frail  be  as  Mount  Zion,  that  /hall 
never  be  removed :  They  frail  never  be  a- 
foamed  nor  confounded,  World  without  E?id> 
Pfal.  cxxv.  i.    Ifa.  xlv.  17. 

And  now,  that  the  God  of  Peace  may 
fill  thee  with  all  Joy  and  Peace  thro'  Be- 
lieving, is  the  earneft  Defire  of 

Thy  Loving  Friend  in  the  Lord>  &c. 


LETTER     XXIII. 

To  Mrs.  B. 

My  very  dear  Sifter, 

MY  Soul  is  troubled  at  the  prefent 
Diftrefs  you  are  under.  If  one 
Member  /uffer,  all  the  reft  fympathize. 
But  oh,  the  infinite  Tendernefs  of  your 
Head  in  Heaven  !  Not  a  Sorrow  pierceth 
your  Heart,  but  he  has  an  inward  Feeling 
of  it.  And  his  Bowels  yern  towards  you, 
even  now  there  is  ilich  a  Cloud  upon  his 
Face,  and  he  feems  to  fpeak  againft  you  : 
He  yet  earneflly  remembers  you  ft  ill.  Aye 
frill,  notwithstanding  all  the  Contrarieties 
you  fee  and  feel  in  yourfelf.     What  tho' 

you 


(  15'  ) 

you  have  an  Hell  of  Iniquity  in  your  Na- 
ture, as  much,  in  your  Apprehenfion,  as 
there  can  be  even  in  the  Devils  themfelves ; 
yet  this  alters  not  (Thrift's  Heart  towards 
you  one  jot.  God  has  refolv'd  that  Sin 
ihall  never  out-do  his  Grace  ;  but  that 
where  Sin  has  abounded,  Grace  (hall  much 
more  abound.  What  tho'  the  Sin  of  your 
Nature  appears,  in  your  Sight,  like  a  migh- 
ty Ocean,  that  would  fwallow  you  up  ; 
yet  'tis  no  more  than  a  Drop,  if  compar'd 
with  the  infinite  Ocean  of  Chrift's  Love, 
and  the  Merit  of  his  Blood,  which  has 
fwallow' d  up  all  your  Sin.  Your  Heart 
can't  be  worfe  than  what  the  Lord  fpeaks 
of  the  Hearts  of  Men  in  general,  Gen.  vi.  5. 
And  God  Jaw  that  the  Wickednefs  of  Man 
was  great  in  the  Earth,  and  that  every  Ima- 
gination of  the  Thoughts  of  his  Heart  was 
only  evil,  and  that  continually.  And  yet  this 
did  not  alter  God's  Heart  to  a  Remnant  in 
his  Son,  that  were  as  bad  as  the  reft.  Your 
being  as  bad  as  them  that  perith,  don't  put 
you  into  a  perilling  State  with  them.  And 
when  God  would  fet  off  the  Greatnefs  of 
his  Love  to  his  own  People,  he  does  it  by 
putting  them  in  mind  of  their  being  as  bad 
by  Nature  as  the  reft,  Mai.  i.  2,  3.  Was  ?iot 
Efau  Jacob'i  Brother  ?  Saith  the  Lord :  let 
T  loved  Jacob.  So  that  there  is  no  reaibn 
G  4  for 


(  ^52  ) 
for  you  to  conclude,  that  you  are  not  the 
Lord's,  becaufe  you  fee  yourfelf  to  be  as  bad 
as  others. 

But  it  may  be,  you'll  fay,  <c  tho'  God's 
c<  People  are  as  bad  as  others  by  Nature ■, 
"  yet  Grace  makes  a  Difference". 

'Tis  true,  there  is  a  new  Nature  given ; 
but  yet  the  old  Nature  remains  in  all  its 
Parts  and  Branches.  And  if  you  had  not  a 
new  Nature,  you  could  not  fee  that  Mafs 
of  Iniquity  in  your  old. 

The  Apofde,  in  the  feventh  of  the  Ro~ 
mansy  cries  out  as  a  wretched  Man>  by  rea- 
fon  of  that  Body  of  Sin  and  Death  that 
dwelt  in  him.  He  complains  not  of  this 
or  that  Member  only,  but  of  a  Body  of 
Deaths  in  all  its  Parts  and  Members  -,  a 
complete  Body  of  Sin  dwelling  in  him. 
And  yet,  in  the  Triumph  of  Faith,  could 
blefs  God  for  a  complete  Victory  in 
Chrift,  over  Sin  and  Death  at  the  fame 
Time. 

But  it  may.  be,  you  will  fay,  lc  that  the 
"  Carriage  of  your  Soul  towards  God  has 
cc  been  fo  froward  and  rebellious,  that  it 
<c  can't  agree  with  the  Nature  of  a 
«  Child". 

With  the  new  nature  of  a  Child,  bleffed 
be  God,  it  cannot :  For  there  is  a  Principle 
of  Love  in  your  Soul,  that  will  make  you 

lothe 


(W  1 

to  the  yonrfelf  in  your  own  Sight l,  fir  all your 
Abominations-,  when  God  breaks  out  upon 
your  Spirit  again,  with  fhining  Difcoveries 
of  abundant  Pardon,  and  gives  you  to  fee 
that  lie  is  pacify  d  towards  you  for  all  that  yon 
have  done. 

But  that  Frowardnefs  and  Rebellion 
may  and  doth  agree  with  the  ©Id  Nature 
that  dwells  in  God's  Children;  fee,  Ifa. 
xlviii.  4.  Becaufe  I  knew  that  thou  art  ob- 
flinate,  and  that  thy  Neck  is  an  Iron  Sinew, 
and  thy  Brow  Bra fs,  And  ver.  S.yea,  thou 
heardefi  not \  yea,  thoukneweft  not,  ye  a,  from 
that  time  that  thine  Ear  was  not  opend :  For 
1  knew  that  thou  wouldjt  deal  very  treache- 
roufy,  and  waft  call  d  a  ^Iranfgreffor  from 
the  PFomb.  And  yet  notwithstanding  all  this 
fee  the  Grace  that  breaks  forth  in  the  next 
three  Verfes :  For  my  Name's  fake  will  laefer 
mine  Anger,  and  for  my  Prai/e  will  1  refrain 
or  thee,  that  lent  thee  not  off.  Behold  I  have 


j 


refined  thee,  but  not  with  Silver  ;  I  have 
chofen  thee  in  the  Furnace  of  Afflielion.  For 
mine  own  Jake,  even  for  mine  own  fake  will 
I  do  it  ;  for  how  JJjould  my  Name  be  polluted  ?' 
and  1  will  not  give  my  Glory  unto  another* 
Who  could  have  thought,  that  everfuch  an 
obit  in  ate,  ftiff- necked,  treacherous  dealing 
one,  that  was  a  T^ranjgrefjor  from  the  Womb, 
fhould  be  called  God's  Chofen  ?  And  that 
G  5  he 


(  i54) 
he  fhould  refolve  to  refine  fuch  an  one  in  the 
Furnace  of  Affliction,  for  his  own  Name's 
fake  ;  taking  all  his  Motives  from  within 
himfelf,  from  his  own  Heart,  when  he 
could  find  none  but  the  contrary  in  the 
Creature's  Nature  and  Carriage  ? 

See  alfo  another  Inftance  of  God's  Kind- 
nefs  to  a  froward  Child,  If  a.  lvii.  17.  For 
the  Iniquity  of  his  Covetoufnefs  was  I  wroth y 
and  f  note  him  :  I  hid  me \  and  was  wroth \ 
md  he  went  on  frowardly  in  the  Way  of  his 
Heart,  What  could  one  now  think  that 
the  Lord  fhould  fay  concerning  fuch  an 
ene,  but  111  deftroy  him  ?  But  oh  !  Behold 
die  Grace  that  firaightway  breaks  forth  to- 
wards this  rebellious  Creature  ;  I  have  feen 
Bis  Ways,  and  will  heal  Mm  :  I  will  lead  him 
afoy  and  re  [tore  Comforts  unto  him,  and  to  his 
Mourners  I  Ver.  18.  I  have  feen  his  Ways  : 
(what  Ways  ?)  "  Not  his  holy  Ways  ;  for 
s<  as  if  the  Lord  fhould  fay,  he  has  pro- 
tc  voked  me  by  his  Iniquity  to  fmite  him. 
<£  Not  bis  believing,  fubmifiive  Ways  5  for 
<c  inflead  of  learning  Obedience  by  the 
1C  things  he  fuffers,  he's  worfe  and  worfe, 
"  more  froward  and  rebellious  under  my 
tc  chaftning  Hand.  Nor  yet  his  repenting. 
"  Ways  -,  for  inflead  of  bemoaning  himfelf 
"  under   his  Peevifhnefs,  and  turning  to 

"  me 


<{  me  with  all  his  Heart,  he  goes  on  fro- 
<c  wardly,  as  in  a  Courfe  of  Fretf  ulnefs  and 
"  Rebellion ;  in  the  Ways  of  his  own 
1  c  Heart,  not  in  the  Ways  of  my  Precepts. 
"  And  yet  for  all  this,  I  will  heal  him  : 
<c  Tho'  I  might  deftroy  him,  if  I  was  to 
"  deal  with  him  after  his  Carriage  towards 
<c  me.  I  might  fay,  go  on  in  my  own 
"  Ways,  to  thy  own  Deftruction  ;  and 
cc  bring  upon  thyfelf  deferved  Ruin.  But, 
cc  in  the  Super-aboundings  of  my  Grace,  / 
* c  wiU  heal  him.  He  has  wounded  himfelf, 
<c  and  is  ready  to  die  of  his  Wounds ;  but 
<;  I'll  bind  up  his  wounded  Spirit.  Dark- 
<c  nefs  covers  him,  fb  that  he  can't  fee  the 
"  Way  of  Faith,  nor  has  he  Strength  to 
ct  fet  one  Foot  forward  therein  >  but  I  will 
<c  lead  him  a/Jo.  I'll  take  him  by  the  Arms, 
"  and  fupport  him  under  his  prefent  Weak- 
<c  nefs  >  and  alfo  teach  him  to  go  again  in 
"  my  Ways,  notwithstanding  his  prefent 
c<  Ignorance.  And  tho'  he  has  loft  the 
tc  Joys  of  my  Favour,  which  had  wont 
<e  to  be  the  Strength  of  his  Spirit  j  and 
<{  thinks  I  am  become  his  Enemy,  becaufe 
"  he  finds  Co  much  Enmity  in  his  carnal 
Mind  again  ft  me  :  Yet  my  everlafting 
Kindnefs  fhall  break  forth  upon  him  a- 
gain,  like  the  Sun  from  under  an  Eclipfe, 
and  fill  his  Heart  brim- full  of  Joy,  even 
Go  "  to 


<c 


Zl 


(  156) 

£C  to  runnings;  over  :   For  I  will,  not   onlv 

"  rejlore  Comforts  to  him,  but  to  his  Mour- 

<c  tiers,  who  (hall  rejoice  for  his  Confola- 


cc  tion". 


What  think  you,  my  dear  Sifter,  of  this 
Grace  ?  It  is  fufiicient  to  fave  you  j  yea, 
let  me  fay,  it  is  more  than  enough.     Had 
you  ten  thoufand  times  more  Sins  than  you 
have,  you  could  never  fpend  the  exceeding 
Riches  of  Grace  ;  the  Treafures  of  which, 
laid  up  in  Chrift  for  you,  are  inexhauftible. 
Grace  is  a  Spring  that  can  never  be  drawn 
dry  !  'Twill  rife  higher  than  your  Sins,  let 
them  be  ever  fo  much  exalted  -,  'twill Jpring 
up,  even  into  everlafling  Life.      Grace  has 
Depths,  infinitely  deeper  than  the  greateft 
Depths  of  your  Sins  and  Miferies !  Heights, 
infinitely  higher  than  the  Heights  of  your 
Provocations !  Breadths,  infinitely  more  ex- 
tenfive  than  the  Aboundings  of  your  Ini- 
quities !  And  Lengths,  infinitely  longer  than 
your   Sins,   either  in  Commencement,    or 
Duration !  Grace  laid    the  Foundation  of 
your  Glory  in  Chrift,  before  Time  or  Sin 
entred^  is  now  managing  theSuperftrudlure, 
by  all  the  Changes  which  pafs  over  you ; 
and  will  lay  the  Top-Stone,  when  Sin  and 
Time  {hall  be  no  more,    out-living  them  to 
an  endlefs    Eternity  !  I  might  multiply  In- 
ftances  of  Grace  -,  but  the  Time  would  fail 

me. 


(157  ) 
me.  The  whole  Gofpel,  both  in  the  oli 
and  new  Teftament,  is  one  entire  Declara- 
tion of  the  Wonders  of  Grace,  and  the 
Depths  of  Mercy  to  unworthy  Creatures, 
and  miferable  Sinners ! 

But  it  may  be,  in  the  Depth  of  your 
Diftrefs,  you'll  refufe  to  be  co?7iforted,  and 
fay,   "  All  this  is  not  for  me  ". 

But  remember   God's  own   dear  Chil- 
dren have  faid  fo  in  times  of  Darknefs,  as  ' 
you,  who  yet  have  been  made  to  fay  the 
quite  contrary,  when  the  Light  has  broke 
out  upon  tkcm  again.     When  Heman  was 
brought  forth  into  the  Light,  and  could  call 
God,  the  God  cf  his  Salvation,  read  what 
an  Account  he  gave  of  the  Darknefs  he  had 
been  in,  and  what  he  faid  while  it  lafted. 
That  he  was  counted  with  them  that  go 
down  to  the  Pit,  free  among  the  Dead,  &c9 
Pfal.  Ixxxviii.     And  the  Church,  Lam.  iii. 
1 8.  did  fay,  inUnbelief,  My  Strength  and  my 
Hope  is  periled  from  the  LORD.     And 
yet,  when  God  broke  out  upon  her  Spirit 
afrefli,  fhe  could  fay,  the  LORD  is  my  Por- 
tion :   therefore  will  I  hope  in  him.     And 
from  her  own  Experience,  encourage  others 
to  hope,  and  quietly  wait  for  the  Salvation  of 
the  LORD;  telling  them,  that  the  LORD 
is  Good  to  the  Soul  that  feeketh  him  ;  that  he 
will  not  cajl  off  for  ever  j  but  tho'  he  caufe 

Grief,, 


(  153  ) 
Grief,  he  will  have  Companion  according  to 
the  Multitude  of  his  Mercies ;  as  Ver.  24, 
&c.  Sion  faid,  the  LORD  had  for fa ken 
her,  and  forgotten  her  ;  when  yet  fhe  was 
graven  upon  the  Palms  of  his  Handstand  her 
Walls  were  continually  b~for?  him,  I/a.  xlix. 
14,  16.  ■  David,  the  Man  after  God's  own 
Hearty  when  in  fore  Trials,  and  all  things 
feem'd  to  go  contrary  to  what  had  been 
told  him,  in  tile  Name  of  the  Lord,  laid,  in 
his  unbelieving  Hqfte,  All  Men  are  Liars, 
Pfa.  cxvi.  11.  He  was  fo  far  from  believing 
God's  Kindnefs  and  Faithfulnefs  towards 
him  in  his  Troubles,  that  he  faid,  he  mould 
perifh  ;  and  that  they  that  fpoke  otherwife, 
told  him  Lies.  And  yet,  after  all  this,  he 
wras  made  to  fing  glorioufly  of  God's  Mercy 
and  Faithfulnefs  in  his  well  order  d  Covenant  \ 
and  to  die  in  the  Faith  of  its  being  all  his 
Salvation,  2  Sam.  xxiii.  5.  And  tho*  you 
can't  at  prefent  believe,  yet  he  abideth  faith- 
ful, he  cannot  deny  himfelf  2  Tim.  ii.  13. 
Nor  can  your  Unbelief  make  the  Faithfulnefs 
oj  God  of  7ione  Effec7,  Rom.  iii.  3.  Your 
Unbelief  can't  rob  you  of  yaur  Intereft, 
tho' it  does  of  your  Comfort. 

And  if  you  not  only  cannot  believe, 
thro'  Weaknefs,  but  will  not  believe,  thror 
Obftinacy  >  yet  Chrifl  has  had  fuch  among 

his 


(  159) 
his  dear  Children.  Thomas  feid,  1  will  not 
believe \  John  xx.  25.  And  yet  the  Grace 
of  Chrift  conquer'd  his  flout  Heart,  and 
fweetly  drew  him  again,  in  the  Exercife  of 
Faith,  to  fay,  My  Lord,  and  my  God,  Ver„ 
28.  And  thus,  thro'  Gr  -  itfhall  be  with 
you. 

Chrift  cannot  part  with  you,  if  you 
could  with  him.  He  has  refolv'd  that  none 
fhall  pluck  you  out  tf/'his  Hands,  John  x.  28. 
None  of  all  the  numerous  Sins  of  your  Na- 
ture,let  them  be  ever  fo  ftrong;  no,  nor  all 
the  Legions  of  Devils  in  Hell,  or  wicked 
Men  on  Earth,  fhoukl  they  be  all  com- 
bined together  again  ft  you,  fhall  be  able 
to  move  you  one  Hair's-breadth  from 
that  Security  you  have  in  Chrift's  Hands. 
The  Father  gave  you  to  him  ;  and  the 
Love  of  his  Heart  engageth  his  Power  to^ 
hold  you  faft.  Yea,  tho'  in  Unbelief  you 
would  throw  yourfelf  out  of  his  Arms;  yet 
he  will  never  let  go  his  Love-hold  of  you. 
For  thus  the  Lord,  the  God  of  Ifrael  faith, 
He  hat eth putting  away,  MaL  ii.  16. 

And  tho'  the  Lions  roar  upon  you  in  this 
dark  Night,  yet  they  fhall  not  devour  you  ; 
becaufe  the  Lion  of  the  Tribe  of  J udah  is 
ftronger  than  they.  He  has  them  in  Chains, 
and  fets  Bounds  to  their  Rage.  And  he  wilt 

ere 


f  160  ) 

ere  long  arife  for  your  Help  ;  the  Morning 
Light  will  ere  long  break  out  upon  your 
Soul ;  and  then  thefe  fierce  Bea/is  of  Prey 
will  hafte  to  their  Dens,  Pfal  civ.  22.  And 
the  new  Glory  of  the  Light,  breaking  forth 
out  of  thick  Darknefs,  will  be  amazingly 
glorious,  and  exceeding  pleafant  to  behold. 
This  is  one  Reafon  why  the  Lord  fuffers 
Darknefs  to  feize  the  Spirits  of  his  Children  ; 
that  fo,  when  the  Light  of  his  Face  fhines 
upon  them  again,  it  may  be  exceeding  pre- 
cious in  their  Efteem. 

And  while  the  Darknefs  lafts,  I  would 
beg  of  you  to  beware  of  making  hafty  Con- 
clusions, either  of  yourfelf,  or  of  God's 
Thoughts  and  Ways  towards  you.  Be- 
caufe  you  can't  make  a  right  Judgment  of 
thcfe  Things  now.  And  hereby  you'll  dis- 
honour God's  Grace,  and  grieve  the  Spirit ;, 
by  which  you  have  been  featd  in  times 
pail:,  as  well  as  pierce  yourfelf  thro'  with 
many  Sorrows. 

Again,  I  would  intreat  you,  not  to  for* 
fake  ajjembling  yourfelf  with  the  Saints. 
There  the  Lord  has  commanded  the  Blefjing^ 
even  Life  for  evermore.  Where  can  you 
go  ?  Chrifl  has  the  Words  of  eternal  Life? 
John  vi.  68. 

Bur 


(  *6.i  ) 

But  it  may  be  you  will  fay,  "  I  fhall 
"  perifh  ;  and  to  what  End  fhould  I  wait 
"  upon  God"? 

But  oh,  that  you  could  refolve  with 
yourfelf,  That  if  you  do,  it  fhall  be  at 
Jefus'  Feet  -,  following  him,  tho'  he  fhould 
go  from  you  ;  and  trifling  in  him,  tho*  he 
fhould  flay  you.  This  would  glorify  God 
exceedingly,  as  well  as  confound  the  Ene- 
my. And  remember  how  the  Woman  of 
Canaan  fped,  when  fhe  would  take  no  De- 
nial, Matth.  xv.  28. 

I  commit   you   to    the  God  of  Peace, 

who  fhall   bruife   Satan  under   your  Feet 

Jhortly  -,  and  after  you  have  Juffered  a  while, 

jtablijh,  ftrengthen,  and  fettle  you,     2  Peter 

v.  10.  Longing  for  the  Day-break  of  your 

Deliverance, 

I  reft,  with  Sympathizing  Love, 

Tours  in  the  Lord,  &c0 


L  E  T- 


(  162  ) 

LETTER    XXIV. 
To  Mrs.  E.  D. 

Dear  Sifter, 

GRace  and  Peace  be  multiplied  unto 
you,  thro*  the  Knowledge  of  God, 
and  of  Jefus  our  Lord. 

You  told  me,  at  parting,  that  you  fhould 
be  glad  to  hear  from  me,  if  I  had  any  Word 
from  the  Throne  concerning  you.  And 
having  defired  of  the  Lord,  that  he  would 
give  me  one,  if  it  was  his  Pleafure ;  in  the 
Night,  when  I  was  thinking  of  you  and 
your  Trials,  that  Word  was  brought  to  my 
Mind  to  write  unto  you,  lfa.  liv.  j.  For  thy 
Maker  is  thy  Husband,  the  LORD  of  Ho/Is 
is  his  Name :  And  oh,  that  the  Lord  the 
Spirit,  would  pleafe  to  lead  you  into  that 
near,  fweet,  infe parable  Relation,  Chrift  and 
you  ftand  in  to  each  other ;  while,  with  this 
Text,  as  with  a  Finger,  he  points  the  Eye 
of  your  Faith  to  look  up©n  the  bright  Glo- 
ries thereof ! 

Fear  not,  (faith  the  Lord,  in  the  preced- 
ing Verfe)  for  thou  Jbalt  not  beafhamed:  nei- 
ther be  thou  confounded,  for  thoujhak  not  be 

put 


(   '63  ) 

put  to  Shame:  for  thou  jhalt  forget  the  Shame 
of  thy  Tout by  and  /halt  not  remember  the  Re- 
proach of  thy  Widowhood  any  more.  And  the 
Reaibn  of  thefe  Privileges  promifed,  both 
here,  and  in  the  Day  of  Chrift,  is  given  in 
the  following  Verfe  ;  For  thy  Maker  is  thy 
Husband,  the  LORD  of  Ho/is  is  bis  Name, 
&c.  Oh,  think  upon  this  wonderful  De- 
claration of  Grace  made  in  thefe  Words ! 

Think  a  while  upon  the  Perfon  here 
fpoken  of  j  thy  [  Maker]  whofe  Name 
is  the  Lord  of  Hofts !  This  is  no  lefs  than 
Immanuely  God  with  us,  God  in  our 
Nature,  the  eternal  Son  of  the  eternal 
Father,  who  did  affume  our  Nature  into 
perfonal  Union  with  himfelf.  He  is  a  di- 
vine Perfon,  that  has  all  the  effential  Glory 
of  the  Godhead  in  him  ,  and  therefore  faid 
to  be  the  [LORD],  JEHOVAH,  which  is 
a  Name  proper  to  God,  and  incommuni- 
cable to  any  Creature  :  And  this  LORD,  as 
Mediator,  islikewifetobe  confidered  as  Man  ; 
for  his  human  Nature  is  neceffarily  included 
in  thefe  Characters  which  are  given  of  his 
Perfon  y  to  wit,  a  Husband,  and  a  Re- 
deemer. 

Well,  this  is  the  Perfon  fpoken  of  :  But 
look  upon  him  now  in  his  divine  Nature, 
as  thy  Maker ,  the  LORD  of  Hofts  ,  who 
has  an  infinite  Fulneh  of  Life  and  Being,  in 

and 


C  '64) 

and  of  himfelf ;  and  has  given  Life  and  Be- 
ing to  all  Creatures  and  Things.  'Tis  HE 
that  is  adored  and  worfhiped  by  the  angelick 
Hoft  above  -,  Angels  and  Archangels  ^//their 
Faces  before  him,  as  unworthy  to  look  upon 
his  infinite  Glory, and  cover  their  Feet^s  un-^ 
worthy  to  ftand  in  his  Prefence  !  It  is  H  E 
that  is  adored  and  praifed  by  the  general 
Affembly  and  Church  of  the  Firjt-bom,  the 
Saints  now  in  Heaven.  And  'tis  HE,  that 
is  greatly/^  ared^  i.  e.  worfhiped  and  obey'd, 
in  the  AJj'emblies  of  the  Saints  on  Earth  ; 
while  he's  had  in  Reverence  of  all  that  are 
round  about  him  in  the  Church  below  ! 
Yea,  'tis  HE  that  has  all  Creatures  and- 
Things  at  his  Command  :  Before  him  the 
Devils  tremble,  and  under  his  Feet  the 
Wicked  of  the  Earth  mail  be  trodden  down ! 
But  Oh  !  who  can  fet  forth  a  thoufandth 
Part  of  his  infinite  Glory  !  'Tis  far  beyond 
the  Capacity  of  Men  or  Angels,  in  the  up- 
per or  lower  Worlds,  fully  to  take  it  in,  or 
tell  it  out.  Oh  how  far  is  the  Line  of 
created  Underftanding,  in  its  greater!  Per- 
fection, from  fathoming  this  infinite,  un- 
fearchable  Depth  !  What  then  can  a  Babe 
fay  ?  Only  this.  Look  upon  his  fair  Face, 
who  is  the  Chiejejl  often  tboufandl  and  oh, 
that  the  Lord  the  Spirit  would  give  thee  an 
amazing  Proiqect  of  the  Glory  of  thy  Be- 
loved !  Well, 


(  i65  ) 

WeM,  this  glorious   Perfon,    who  is  the 
Wonder  of  Saints  and  Angels,   the  Terror 
of  wicked  Men  and  Devils ;  who  can  make 
Worlds  at  his  Pleafure,  and  dam  his  Ene- 
mies into  eternal  Perdition  with  a  Word  of 
his  Mouth;  this  is  HE,  that  in  infinite  condef- 
cending  Grace,  has  (looped  down  to  take  thy 
Nature,  to  efpoufe  thy  Perfon,  to  become  thy 
[Husband.]  Oh  amazing  !  Thy  Maker,  who 
has   a  fir  greater  Right  to  difpofe  of  his 
Creatures  as  he  pleafes,  than  the  Potter  has 
to  made  one,  VeJJel  unto  Honour,  and  another 
unto  Dtftonour,  he  has  fet  his  Heart  upon 
thee,  and  given  himfelf  to  thee  as  thy  Hus- 
band !  Oh,  afbniming  !  What,  God  love 
Creatures  !    JEHOVAH    fet   his   Heart 
upon  the  Work  of  his  Hands !  And  that 
he   mould  do  it  in  fuch  a  diftinguimine 
Way,  take  one,  and  leave  another,  choofe 
one,  and   refufe  another  :    How  rich  and 
fovereign  is  this  Grace  !  And  how  fweet  is 
this  Word  [Thy]  !  that  he  mould  give  him- 
felf to  thee,  to  be  thy  Husband,  and  betroth 
thee  unto  himfelf  for  ever,  while  thoufands 
are  paffed  by  !  He  has  indeed  given  himfelf 
to  thee  in  all  Relations  ;  as  Father,  Brother, 
Friend,   &c.  in  all  which  his  Love  mines 
glorioufly  :  But  oh,  the  fweet  Relation  of 
an  Husband  !  What,  has  he  given  himfelf, 
his  great  Self,  to  be  one  with  thee  for  ever ! 

Oh, 


(  166  ) 

Oh,  the  Height,  Depth,  Breadth  and  Length 
of  this  Grace  ! 

Again,  confide r,  this  Relation  is  no  emp- 
ty Name,  no  unfruitful  Thing  :  Wondrous 
are  the  Effects  of  that  Love  which  entredinto 
thisRelation,and  flow  thro' it.  And  this  fhin- 
eth  forth  in  the  Word  [For],  For  thy  Maker 
is  thy  Huskmdy&CCAS  it  ftands  connected  with 
the  glorious  Privileges  promis'd  in  the  pre- 
cedent Verfe.  All  thy  prefent  and  future 
Happinefs  is  fecured  in  this  Relation,  as 
the  Effect  in  its  Caufe.  But  this  is  a  Field 
too  large  for  me  to  enter  far  into.  All  that 
I  can  do  is  only  to  point  thine  Eye  to  it, 
and  leave  thy  Faith  to  trace  its  wondrous 
Paths,  by  the  Leadings  of  the  Word  and 
Spirit  of  God. 

Look  therefore  upon  the  Love  of  thy 
Husband  :  And  all  the  glorious  Fruits  of 
it,  which  flow  thro'  this  Relation  he  ftands 
into  thee.  Other  Husbands  may  enter 
into  this  Relation,  and  want  the  Love  of  it, 
or  their  burning- hot  Love  may  foon  grow 
cold.  But  as  Chrift's  Heart  was  in  a  Flame 
of  Love  towards  thee,  when  he  gave  him- 
felf  to  thee  to  be  thy  Husband  ;  fo  it  abides, 
yefterday ,  to  day,  and  jor  ever  the  fame. 
He  rejts  in  his  hove,  and  will  never  caft  thee 
off,  or  feek  another  Object  inftead  of  thee. 
No,  he  has  faid  concerning  thee,  that  thou 

art 


(  i67) 

art  his  Reft,  the  Reft  of  his  Heart^r  ever ; 
and  he  is  the  LOR  D  that  changeth  not ; 
as  not  in  his  Nature,  fo  nor  in  his  Love  : 
Therefore  this  Relation  is  no  empty  Name. 
Nor  yet  will  it  appear  to  be  an  unfruitful 
Thing,  if  thou  confider  what  the  Love  of 
thy  Husband  has  done,  and  will  do  for  thee. 
For  as  he  gave  himfelf  to  thee,  to  be  thy 
Husband  ;  fo  he  has  glorioufly,  tranfcen- 
dently,  above  and  beyond  all  the  Creatures, 
acted  the  Husband's  Part.  He  has  interefted 
thee  in  all  his  Riches  :  The  Glory,  fays  he, 
which  thou  gaveft  me,  I  have  given  them, 
John  xvii.  22.  So  that  what  Chrift  has  is 
thine,  as  thou  art  one  with  him.  Yea,  the 
Love  of  this  thy  Husband,  engaged  him  to 
become  thy  Saviour,  thy  Surety,  to  redeem 
thee  from  all  Mifery,  unto  all  Glory  ;  when 
thy  Fall  in  the  firft  Adam  was  fore-view'd 
in  all  its  woful  Effects.  Thus  his  Love 
work'd  before  Time.  Look  upon  it  alio 
in  its  glorious  Fruits  in  Time  :  'Twas  a 
mighty  Stoop  of  his  Love,  to  take  thy  Na- 
ture, to  ftand  in  thy  Room,  to  obey  the 
Law  for  thee,  to  bear  thy  Sins,  to  pay 
thy  Debts,  by  giving  up  himfelf  a  Sacrifice 
in  thy  {lead,  when  thou  waft  a  Tranfgref- 
for,  and  hadft  treacheroufly  departed  from 
him.  And  as  his  Love  went  thro*  Death 
for  thee,  fo  in  Love  he  rofe  for  thee,  entred 

into 


(  i68  ) 

into  Glory  for    thee,  and  ever  fits  at  the 
right  Hand  of  the  Father,  making  Inter- 
ceffion  for  thee,  until  thou  art  faved  to  the 
iittermoft.     And  as  a  Fruit  of  this  thy  Hus- 
band's Love,  the  Holy  Spirit  was  fent  down 
into  thy  Heart,  to  quicken  thee  when  dead 
in  Sin,  to  (hew  thee  thy  own  Mifery,  and 
his  Excellency,  to  enable  thee  to  flee  unto 
him   for  Refuge,  whole  Heart  and  Arms 
ftand  open  wide  to  embrace  thee,  and  to 
caufe  thee  to  fall  in  Love  with  him,  who 
long  fince  had  fet  his  Heart  upon  thee. 
Look  alfo  on  the  Fruits  of -thy  Husband's 
Love,  in  clothing  thee  with  his  Righteouf- 
nefs,  in  fupplying  thee  out  of  his  Fulnefs,  in 
giving  thee  his  Flefh  and  Blood  to  eat  and 
drink,thatthoumayft  live  for  ever-,  and  in  all 
that  glorious  Care  which  he  exercifeth  to- 
wards thee  in  all  the  Way  he  leads  thee  thro* 
a  World  of  Trials.  Once  more,  think  what 
his  Love  will   yet  do  for  thee  in  time  to 
come.     He'll  never  leave  thee  in  the  Wil- 
dernefs,  he'll  over-rule  all  things   for  thy 
good,  he'll  defend  thee  from  all  Enemies, 
he'll  perfect  thy  Grace  in  Glory,  he'll  take 
thy  Soul  into  his  Bofom  at  Death;  and  thy 
whole  Perfonat  theRefurrection-MormAnd 
then, for  ever  folded  up  in  his  fweetEm  braces, 
thou,  with  the  reft  of  his  redeemed  Ones, 
fhalt  admire,  adore,   and  enjoy  his  Love, 

and 


(  i69  ) 

and  fing  the  new  Song  ;  Unto  him  that 
loved  us,  and  wafted  us  from  our  Sins  in  his 
own  Blood,  and  hath  made  us  Kings  and 
Priejls  unto  God  and  his  Father  ;  to  him  be 
Glory  and  Dominion  for  ever  and  ever. 
Amen. 

I  dm  Tours  in  Chri/l,  Sec. 


LETTER     XXV. 

To  Mrs.   S.  C. 

Dear  Sifter, 

C*i  Race  and  Peace  be  multiplied  unto 
"JT  you,  from  God  our  Father,  and  Je- 
fus  Chrift  our  Lord. 

When  I  had  concluded  to  write  unto 
Sifter  Z).  my  Heart  began  to  yearn  towards 
you,  and  I  denYd  the  Lord,  if  he  had  any 
thing  to  fend  unto  you  by  me, that  he  would 
give  me  a  Word  -,  and  prcfently,  Matt. 
xxviii.  20.  was  brought  to  my  Mind.  And 
loy  lam  with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  End 
of  the  World.  Amen.  This  Promife  was 
given  to  the  Apoftles,  and  in  them  to  all 
Chrift's  Minifters,  to  encourage  them  in 
their  Lord's  Work,  thro'  all  the  fucceffive 
H  Ages 


(  J7°  ) 
Ages  of  Time  ;  and  it  like  wife  contains  in 
it,  a  gracious  Declaration  of  ChrifVs  Pre- 
ience  with  all  his  Children,  according  to 
their  feveral  Stations  and  Employments, 
even  unto  the  World's  End  ;  and  fo  it  is 
matter  of  Encouragement  to  every  Believer, 
to  follow  Chrift  in  all  his  Appointments, 
and  to  give  up  themfelves  to  him,  in  all 
manner  of  Obedience. 

This  Promiie  is  ulhered  in  with  a  Note 
of  Attention,  [Lo]  and  calls  upon  you,  my 
dear  Sifter,  to  behold,  to  look  upon  the 
Grace  of  your  Beloved,  which  (lanes  forth 
herein.  Caft  your  Eye  therefore  upon  the 
Perfon  promifing,  [I]  5  I  am  with  you,  &c. 
And  fee  his  perfonal  Perfections, and  Bride- 
groom-Com  paffions,  as  your  Head  and 
Saviour  ;  view  him  in  his  Love,  Grace, 
Mercy,  Power,  Faithfnlnefs,  &c.  for  it  is 
no  lefs  than  himfelf,  his  great  Self,  in  all 
his  immenfe  Perfections,  who  has  engaged 
to  be  with  you  ! 

Liftenalfo  unto  the  Voice  of  your  Beloved, 
or  unto  what  he  declares  unto  you  herein. 
/  am  with  you,  &c.  [With]  you  5  oh  amaz- 
ing !  This  is  a  Promife  of  his  fpecial,  graci- 
ous Prefence  with  you  in  the  Church,  and 
in  the  World  ;  in  the  Houfe  of  God,  and 
in  your  own  Houfe.  With  [You],  in 
dirfinftion  from  the  World.     He'll  ma- 

nifeji 


(  *7*  ) 

nifeft  himfelf  unto  you,   but  not  unto  the 
World:  No,    they  fee  him  not,    but   you 
fhall  fee  him  :  For  having  fet  his  Heart 
upon  you,  he'll  dwell  with  you,  and   dif- 
play  his  Grace,  and  all  his  glorious  Perfecti- 
ons, every  way  anfwerable  to  the  Greatnefs 
of  his  Perfon,  and  the  Nearnefs  of  that  Re- 
lation you  ftand  in  to  him.     And  tho'  you 
mayn't  always  have  his  fenfible  Prefence, 
yet  even  then,  you  have  his  real  Prefence 
with  you.     I  [Am]  with  you ,  fays  he,  real- 
ly,  for  your    Advantage,   even  when  you 
want  the  Senfe  of  it,  for  your   Comfort. 
And  how  long  will  Chrift  be  with  you  ? 
why,  not  now  and  then   for  a  Fit,  and  be 
gone,  but  [Alway],   in  all  Times,  Places, 
and  Cafes  whatfoever  -,  even  unto  the  [End] 
of  the  World ;  that   is,   as  it  refpects  thee 
in  particular,  unto  the  End  of  thy  Being  in 
the  World  .;  and  as  it  refpects  his  People  in 
general,  unto  the  very  End  of  the  World 
itfelf.     And  this  our  Lord  confirms,  with, 
[Amen],  This  is  Chrift's  Amen,  or  So  be  it> 
who  with  a  Word  could  make  Worlds,  and 
with  a  Word  can  fpeak  into  Being  all  that 
vaft  Happinefs  which  he  has  prepar'd  for  his 
People.  In  this  Word  therefore,by  this  Amen, 
heatoncegrants,andirreveriibly  confirms  this 
wonderful  Promife  of  his  Pretence  with  his 
People,  even  unto  the  End  of  the  World. 
H  2  Well 


(  i72  ) 
Well  then,  my  dear  Sifter,  fince  Chrift 
is,  and  will  be  with  you  ;  what  canft  thou 
defire  more  ?  He  has  all  Power  in  his  Hand 
to  help  thee,  and  he  has  all  Grace  in  his 
Heart  to  do  it  -,  and  he  is  the  Lord  that  is 
faithful,  who  will  be  as  good  as  his  Word. 
Thou  haft  Chrift,  and  thou  haft  all !  Thou 
haft  him  in  all  Relations,  thou  haft  him 
in  all  Conditions,  thou  haft  him  unto  all 
that  Salvation  and  Glory  thy  longing  Soul 
can  defire  !  Live  upon  him  therefore  as  thy 
all !  Creatures  may  fail  thee,  Relations  and 
Friends  may  defert  thee  ;  but  Chrift  will 
never  leave,  nor  for  fake  thee.  Thou  haft 
his  Arm  to  lean  on,  and  his  Bofom  to  reft 
in,  all  the  Way  thou  comeft  up  from  the 
Wildernefs.  Is  Chrift  with  thee  ?  thou 
canft  want  nothing,  either  for  Soul  or 
Body  :  Since  he  has  infinite  Fulnefs  to 
fupply  thee,  and  infinite  Love  to  nourijh 
and  cherifo  thee,  even  as  his  own  Flejh. 
He  that  has  all,  can  no  more  let  thee  want 
any  thing  which  he  fees  good  for  thee,  than 
he  can  deny  him/elf:  Becaufe  he  loves  thee 
as  himfelf.  Submit  to  his  Wifdom  there- 
fore, in  all  the  Way  he  leads  thee  thro'  the 
Wildernefs  :  For  he'll  bring  thee  by  a  right 
Way  to  the  City  of  Habitation,  And  what 
tho'  he  mould  lead  thee  thro'  much  Tri- 
bulation 5 


(  m  ) 

filiation  -,  fince  Chrift  is  thy  Companion, 
thou  needft  fear  nothing.     If  he  furfer  thee 

o 

to  be   can:  into  a  burning  fiery  Furnace, 
himfelf  will  be  with  thee  there,  and  thou 
fhalt  walk  at  Liberty  am  id  ft  fiery  Trials,  and 
{halt  not  be  confumed.  He'll  go  before  thee 
to  lead  thee  in  the  Way  thou  fhouldft  go,and 
be  with  thee  every  Step  of  it  to  keep  theq. 
Company,  and  he'll  be  behind  thee  too,  as 
thy  Rere-ward,  to  defend   thee,     He'll  be 
a  Wall   of  Fire  round  about  thee,  and  the 
Glory  in  themidji  0/thee.  Then  furely  thou 
may  ft  ling  in  Sorrow,  fince  Chrift  is  with 
thee  in  all  thy  Diftreifes 5  to  defend  thee 
from  ail  Dangers,  to  fympathize  with  thee 
in  all  thy  Griefs,  to  bear  the  heavieft  End 
of  thy  Burdens,  to  fupport  thee  under  'em, 
to  fanctify  thee  by  'em,  to  pardon  all  thy 
Weaknefs  in  bearing  'em,  and  compleatly 
to  deliver  thee  from  them,  in  his  own  Way 
and  Time,   which  will  be  moft  glorious  ! 
Thy  dear  Lord  Jefus  will  be  with  thee  even 
until  Death  •  unto  Death,    in  Death,  and 
thro'  Death  ;  and  then  he'll  wipe  all  Tears 
from  thine   Eyes,  and   take  thee  up  to  be 
with  himfelf  forever,  to  enjoy  a  bleft  Eter- 
nity in  the  Virion  of  his,  and  his  Father's 
Face,  in  that  Life  and  Glory  which  is  yet 
unknown  ! 


II  3  That 


(  174) 

That  the  Peace  of  God  which  pajjeth  all 
Understandings  may  keep  thy  Heart  and 
Mind  thro  Cbriji  fe/us,  is  the  earneft  De- 
fire  of 

Tours  in  Him,  &c. 


LETTER     XXVI. 

To  Mr,  K  M. 

Dear  Brother, 

Grace  and  Peace  be  multiplied. 

WHEN  I  had  a  Word  from  the  Lord 
for  Sifter  C.  I  was  loth  to  leave 
you  out  ;  and  therefore  defired  that  he 
would  fend  fomething  unto  you  alfo.  And 
that  Word  was  brought,  Gal  v.  i.  Stand 
faft  therefore  in  the  Liberty  wherewith  Chrift 
has  made  us  free. 

We  were  by  Nature,  under  the  Law, 
and  as  Tranfgreflbrs,  under  the  Curfe,  un- 
der the  Dominion  of  Sin,  and  the  Govern- 
ment of  Satan,  and  (as  in  ourfelves  confi- 
dered)  obnoxious  to  divine  Vengeance,  both 
here  and  hereafter  :  from  all  which,  Chrift 
hath  made  us  free.  And  this  Freedom  is 
a  complete    and    everlafting    Liberty,   in 

which 


(  m ) 

which  it  is  both  our  Duty  and  Privilege  to 
ftand  faft. 

We  were  indeed  under  the  Law  ;  but 
[Chrift],  God-Man,  the  Anointed  of  the 
Father,  our  God,  our  Kinfman- Redeemer, 
was  made  under  the  Law,  to  redeem  us  from 
wider  it,  as  a  Covenant  of  Works,  by  ful- 
filling all  its  righteous  Commands  in  our 
ftead  j  and  to  redeem  us  from  its  Curie 
like  wife,  by  being  made  a  Curfe  for  us. 

'We,  in  all  refpects,  were  under  the  Do- 
minion of  Sin  ;  but  Chrift  was  made  Sin 
for  us,  to  redeem  us  from  it,  and  for  ever 
make  an  end  of  it. 

We,  by  Sin,  had  put  ourfclves  under  the 
Dominion  of  Satan,  that  Prince  of  Dark- 
nefs  ,  but  Chrift,  by  being  ??iade  Sin  for 
ti$y  and  dying  a  Sacrifice  in  our  ftead,  has 
deftroyed  him  that  had  the  Power  of  Death  y 
and  delivered  us  from  that  dreadful  Bon- 
dage in  which  we  were  held. 

We,  by  Nature,  were  Children  of  Wrath 
even  as  others  5  but  Chrift  has  bore  all  that 
divine  Vengeance  that  was  the  due  Defert  of 
our  Tranfgreffions  ;  by  which  he  has  for 
ever  delivered  us  from  vindictive  Wrath,, 
both  in  this  World,  and  that  to  come. 

And  as  he  has   delivered   us  from  the 

worft  of  Slavery,  fo  he  has  like  wife  brought 

us  into  the  moft  glorious  Liberty  :  He  has 

H  4  made 


(  i?6) 
made  us  Free  Indeed  !  For  in  giving  him- 
felf  a  Ranfom  for  us,  he  redeemed  us,  not 
only  from  all  Mifery,  but  unto  all  Glory. 
He  has  given  us  a  Right  unto  all  the  Pri- 
vileges of  the  Sons  of  God,  both  here  in 
Grace,  and  hereafter  in  Glory.  Thus  the 
Son  has  made  us  [Free].  And  this  Free- 
dom is  complete,  and  everlafting,  in  him- 
felf,  for  his  whole  myilical  Body.  And  as 
we  are  now  made  free  in  him,  fo  we  mail 
ere  long  enjoy  a  complete  and  everlafting 
Freedom  in  our  own  Perfons,  by  and  thro' 
him.  Mean  while  we  fhould  live  by  Faith, 
or  [Stand]  faft  in  that  complete  Freedom, 
that  eternal  Perfection  we  have  in  him. 

Well  then,  my  dear  Brother,  has  the 
Holy  Spirit  of  God  been  fent  down  into  thy 
Heart,  to  quicken  thee  when  dead  in  Sin, 
to  mew  thee  the  Mifery  of  thy  natural 
State,  and  to  enable  thee  tojlee  unto  Chrift 
for  Refuge  ?  And  has  he  at  times,  bore  wit- 
rw/s  with  thy  Spirit^  that  thou  art  a  Child 
of  God,  and  enabled  thee  to  cry  unto  him, 
Ablay  Father  ?  Why,  thou  art  one  of  them 
that  Chrift  hath  made  free.  He  hath  made 
thee  free  perfectly,  and  eternally  in  himfelf, 
as  I  hinted  before  j  and  he  has  alfo,  in  fome 
Senfe,  made  thee  free  in  thy  own  Perfon 
too.  He  has  delivered  thee  from  the  Law, 
from  the  Dominion  of  Sin  and  Satan,  and 

from 


(  l77  ) 
from  the  Wrath  to  come  ;  and  he  has 
given  thee,  as  a  Believer  in  him,  a  viable 
Right  unto  all  the  Privileges  of  the  Sons  of 
God,  both  here,  and  hereafter  :  And  he'll 
complete  thy  perfonal  Freedom  by  the  fame 
Grace  that  begun  it.  Therefore  ft  and  f aft 
in  that  [Liberty]  wherewith  Chrift  hath 
?nade  thee  free. 

Stand faft  :  Thi3  Word  implies  Oppo- 
fition.  Satan,  and  Unbelief  will  oppofe  thy 
{landing  where  free  Grace  hath  fet  thee  -, 
and  that  legal  Spirit  that  remains,  even  in 
God's  free  Children  themfelves,  will  oppofe 
their  ftanding  faft  in  this  Liberty.  Satan 
feeks  to  draw  God's  free  Children  into 
Bondage- Frames  ;  becaufe  he  knows  how 
much  Difhonour  it  carts  upon  their  Re- 
deemer, and  that  glorious  Liberty  where- 
with he  has  made  them  free  ;  and  alfo  be- 
caufe he  knows  how  much  it  will  entangle, 
and  perplex  their  Souls,  and  hinder  their 
Peace,  Joy,  and  Ufefulnefs.  Oh  !  he  hates 
to  fee  us  iland  [Fad:}  in  this  glorious  Li- 
berty 3  he  envies  Chrift  the  Honour,  and 
us  the  Comfort  of  this  great  Salvation. 
Watch  therefore  againft  all  the  Allauks  of 
the  Enemy,  from  what  Quarter  foever  they 
come  ;  and  endeavour  to  keep  thy  Ground, 
and  to  ftand  it  out  bravely  in  Faith  ;  hav- 
ing on  the  Br ea ft -plate  of  Righteoufnefs , 
H  5  (Chiiil's 


(  »73  ) 
(ChrifVs  Righteoufnefs)  thy  Loins  girt  a- 
bout  with  Truth,  (the  Truth  of  God  in  the 
Promife,  and  the  Truth  of  Chrift's  Salvati- 
on) thy  Feet  f:od  with  the  Preparation  of 
the  Go/pel  of  Peace,  for  an  Helmet,  the 
Hope  of  Salvation,  and  praying  akcavs  with 
all  Prayer  and  Supplication  in  the  Spirit \ 
watching  thereunto  with  all  Perjeverance  : 
For  this  will  tend  to  thy  Redeemer's  Ho- 
nour, and  to  thy  Comfort.  And  remem- 
ber, that  whatever  Enemy  attacks  thy  Faith 
hates  thy  Lord,  and  his  Glory ;  and  hates 
thee  too,,  thy  prefent  Joy, and  future  Crown, 
Therefore  be  ftrong,  and  play  the  Man  ; 
and  know,  that  if  the  Enemies  mould  pre- 
vail at  times,  to  bring  thee  into  Bondage- 
Frames,  yet  they  mall  never  bring  thee  into 
a  Bondage-State.  No,  for  thou  art  re- 
deemed out  of  the  Houfe  of  Servants ;  Thou 
art  no.  more  a  Servant,  but  a  Son  ;  and  if  a 
Son,,  then  an  Heir  of  God  thro'  Chrift. 
Wherefore,  my  Beloved  Brother,  So  jiand 
fa/tin  the  LORD! 

In  him  J  am  Tours,  &c. 


LET- 


( m ) 

LETTER     XXVII. 
To  Mr.  P.  N. 

Dcdr  Friend, 

C^l  Race  be  with  you,  Mercy,  and  Peace 
~f  from  God  the  Father,  and  the  Lord 
Jefus  Chrift. 

When  I  was  determined  to  write  to  our 
dear  Brother,  and  Sifters,  you  being,  I  trull, 
a  longing  Soul,  I  found  a  Deiire  to  have 
lbmewhat  to  fend  unto  you.  And  that 
Word  was  brought  to  my  Mind,  Rev.  xxii. 
1 7.  And  the  Spirit  and  the  Bride  Jay,  Come. 
And  let  him  that  heareih  fay,  come.  And 
let  him  that  is  a  thir/t  come.  And  whojo- 
ever  will,  let  him  take  the  Water  of  Life 
freely.  This  Scripture  will  doubtlefs  have 
its  full  Accomplishment  in  the  New  fe- 
rufalem  State  of  the  Church  -,  but  yet  there 
is  a  Voice  in  it  now,  a  Sound  of  Abundance 
of  Grace  unto  every  poor  Soul  that  is  let  a 
longing  for  Chrift,  and  his  Salvation. 

Thefe  are  the  Words  of  the  Lord  Jefus 

Chrift,  who  fent  his  Angel  unto  his  Servant 

John,  to  tejtify  thefe  Things  in  the  Churches, 

v&Ver.  16.     In  this-  17  Verfe  he  continues 

H  6  hi3 


(  i8o) 

his  Speech,  and  tells  us  who  they  are  whicfi 
proclaim  the  Grace  of  the  Gofpel  to  poor 
Sinners,  and  invite  them  to  partake  of  it. 
And, 

Firft,  Here  is  the  [Spirit],  the  Holy 
Ghoft,  who  was  given  upon  Chrift's  Afcen- 
iion,  to  glorify  him  in  the  Churches,  and  in 
the  Hearts  of  all  God's  Chofen.  The  Spirit 
faith ,  Come.  He  that  fearcheth  the  Depths 
of  God,  the  Depth  of  his  Counfels,  Cove- 
nant and  Promifes,  that  knows  what  vaft 
Provisions  of  Grace  are  made  for  poor  Sin- 
ners, and  what  infinite  Love  towards  'em, 
and  Readinefs  to  receive  'em,  there  is  in  the 
Heart  of  God  the  Father,  and  in  the  Heart 
of  Jefus  Chrilt,  He  fays,Gw/^  This  Word 
[Come],  notes  out  that  Fulneis  of  Grace 
^nd  Glory,  which  is  provided  for  the  Sup- 
ply of  poor  Sinners  in  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrilr, 
that  Readinefs  there  is  to  receive  'em,  and 
gracious  Invitation  which  he  gives  unto 
them.    ■  Come,  as  if  he  mould  lay,  For  all 

*  things  are  now  ready  -,  all  Grace  and  Glory 
1  your  needy  Souls  can  want,  for  Time  or 

*  Eternity.  C&me,  .Chrift's and  his  Father's 
1  Heart  and  Arms  ftand  open  wide  to  em- 
'  brace  you.  Come,  the  Lord  invites  you 
f  to  come,  and  partake  of  all  freely  ;  you 
4  are  welcome   to  all  his  Grace  ;  it  is  his 

*  Will  that  you  fhould  come,  it  is  his  De- 

1  fire 


i  181) 

c  fire  that  you  fhould  come ;    therefore 
c  come  away  fpeedily  \    Thus  the  Spirit 
faith,  Come.     And  he  faith  fo,  as  a  Com- 
forter in  Office,  as  fent  from  the  Father 
and  the  Son  to  draw  poor  Sinners  unto  Je- 
fus  Chrift  ;  which  Work  of  his,  he  glori- 
oufly  and  efficacioufly    performs>    when 
he  fpeaks  unto  the  Heart  ;  and  thereby,  at 
once,   fweetly   allures  and  conftrains    the 
Soul  to  come.    Oh  the  efficacious  Drawing 
of  the  Holy   Ghoft !  Never  had  any  Soul 
feen  Chrift's  Beauty,  been  fick  of  Love  for 
him,  or  have  come  unto  him  for  Life,,  if 
the  Holy  Ghoft  had  not  allured  it  by  in- 
finite Sweetnefs,  and  drawn  it  by  Almighty 
Power  !  The  Spirit  faith.  Come ;  and  there- 
by he  draws  poor  Souls  into  conjugal  A$- 
fedtions  to  the  Lord   Jefus  Chrift,  a  vifible 
conjugal  Relation  to  him,  and  Communion 
with  him.     And   upon  this,  Chrift  hath  a 
Bride,  a  vifible  Church  on   Earth.     And 
therefore, 

Secondly,  The  Bride  faith,  Come.  The 
[Bride]  ;  Believers  congregated  in  Gofpel- 
Order,  gather'd  into  a  Church-relation,  by  - 
folemn  Covenant,  giving  up  themfelves  unto 
Chrift  as  their  Head  and  Husband,  and 
profeffing  Subjection  to  him.  And  this 
Church,  the  Bride,  is  filled  the  City  of  God, 

Pfalv 


( t& ) 

Pfal.xlvi.4.  where  the  Cryftal  Streams  of  the 
River  of  Water  of  Life  run.  And  fhe,having 
had  fuch  rich  Experience  of  that  Fulnefs  of 
Life  and  Grace  that  dwells  in,  and  flows 
thro'  her  Beloved,  to  the  fatiating  of  her 
longing  Appetite;  and  alfo  fuch  rich  Dis- 
coveries, that  there  is  in  him,  not  only  in- 
finitely enough  for  her,  but  alfo  for  all  the 
Chofen  of  God,  even  unto  the  World's  End : 
{he,  from  her  own  Experience,  and  at  the 
Command  of  her  Lord  and  Husband,  pro- 
claims, by  her  Miniflers,  thefe  glad  Tidings  3 
and  invites  poor  Sinners  unto  Chrift,  the 
Fountain  of  Life,  to  drink,  yea,  drink  abun- 
dantly. c  Come,  fays  the  Bride,  (unto  poor 
1  awakened  Souls)  I  was  once  as  miferable 
1  as  you,  as  poor  and  thirfiy  as  you  ;  but 
•■  when  the  Spirit  faid,  Come,  I  ventur'd  in 
4  to  my  Lord  and  Husband,  as  God's  Sai- 

*  vation  for  the  Chief  of  Sinners  ;  when  I< 

*  was  almoft'  famifhed  with  Thirft,  and 
1  ready  to  faint  away  with  Longings  after 
«  Jefus  Chrift,  and  Fears  that  I  fhould  not 

*  find  him  ;  when    I  was  juft    ready  to- 

*  perifh,  under  the  apprehended  Wrath  of 

*  God,  the  Temptations  of  Satan,  and  the 

*  Corruptions  of  my  own  Heart  and  Ways  (i 

*  and  I  found  in  him-  my  Saviour,  a  pure 
'  River  of  Water  of  L//^,  which  is  infinitely 
4  enough  to   fatisfy  and  folace  me  thro' 

c  Time, 


(  i83  ) 

1  Time,  and  to  Eternity  5  yea,  I  found  in 
c  Chrift,  not  only  an  infinite  Fulnefs  of 
E>  Life,  but  alio  an  infinite  Freenefs  to 
1  communicate  the  fame,  notwithstanding 
1  all  my  Unworthinefs.  And  as  I  found 
8  enough  in  Chrift  for  me,  fo  in  him  I  fee 
c  an  inexhauftible  Fulnefs  for  you,  an  in-- 
4  finite  Store,  that  can  never  be  drawn  dry  ! 
4  And  this  my  Lord  and  Head  bids  me  to 

*  proclaim  unto  you,  and  invite  you  to 
4  come.  Come  therefore,  you,  my  Com- 
4  panionSy  that  hearken  to  my  Voice y  you 

*  longing  Souls,  that  are  fet  athirji  for  the 
4  Water  of  Life 5  venture  in  to  Chrift,  and 
c  take  your  Fill  of  all  his  Grace  ;  For  it  is 
c-  a  River  of  Life,  that  is  full,  free,  and 
4  everlafting  !  Thus  the  Bride  faith,  Come. 
^  But  in  the  next  place, 

Thirdly  y  Chrift  commands  him  that 
heareth  to  fay,  Come.  And  let  him  that 
\ heareth]y<3>',  Come.  This  may  denote  par- 
ticular Believers,  who  have  Ears  to  hear 
what  the  Spirit  faith  to  the  Churches ,  and. 
likewise  what  the  Bride  fays  to  poor  Sin- 
ners in  her  Beloved's  Name :  And  thefe, 
tho'  not  join'd  to  Chrift's  vifible  Church, 
(and  lb  diftinguifhed  from  the  Bride)  from 
their  own  Experience  of  his  Grace,  and 
from  thofe  Difcernings  they  have  had  of 
what  the  Spirit  and  the  Bride  fay,  are  com- 

m  anded 


(  1 84   ) 

9  manded  to  fay,  Come.  'Tis  as  if  Cbrift 
1  fhouldfay,  you  my  Children,  that  are  afraid 

*  to  follow  me  in  theOrdinancesofmyHoufe, 

*  who  have  not  yet  arrived  to  that  Strength 
€  of  Faith,  and  vifible  Love- Communion 

*  with  me  as  my  Bride  hath,  don't  you  be 

*  filent ;  do  you  fay,  Come  :  Tell  poor  Sin- 
c  ners  what  you  have  feen  and  heard  of 
■  me,  and  invite    em  to  come  ;  concern 

*  yourfelves  in  that  glorious  Work  in  which 
c  the -Spirit  and  the  Bride  are  employ 'd, 
1  and  in  which  my  Heart  is  fo  deeply  en- 
c  gaged  \  And  Chrift,  by  this  Command, 
not  only  binds  them  to  this  Duty,  but  like- 
wife  gives  them  Strength  for  the  Perform- 
ance of  it  ;  he  hereby  fpeaks  into  Being 
what  he  calls  for  ;  as  he  did,  when  he  faid^ 
Let  there  be  Light,  and  there  was  Light. 
And  fo  it  carries  in  it  a  prophetic  Defcripti- 
on  of  what  fuch  Souls  do,  and  mall  fay  : 
But  it  is  put  in  the  Form  of  a  Command, 
to  excite  their  Obedience  ;  becaufe  of  the 
Backwardnefs  of  fuch  Souls  to  proclaim 
Chrift  and  his  Grace  to  others,  who  are 
under  prevailing  Fears  themfelves,  or  at 
kail:  not  fo  openly  favoured  with  Com- 
munion with  Jefus  Chrift  as  his  Bride  is. 
Let  him  that  heareth  Jay,  Come.  And 
then, 

Fourthly^ 


(  i8j  ) 

Fourthly,  The  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  him- 
felf  comes  in  and  fays,  And  let  him  that  is 
athirft  Come  :  And  whofo'ever  will,  let  him 
take  the  Water  of  Life  freely.  Thefe  arc 
the  Words  of  Chrift,  who  once  died,  and 
now  lives  to  fave  Sinners  -,  in  which  he  de- 
clares his  infinite  All-  Sufficiency  to  fave 
them  to  the  uttermofl,  his  Readinefs  to  re- 
ceive 'em,  and  the  kind  Invitation  he  gives 
'em  to  partake  of  all  his  Grace  ;  and  to  an- 
fwer  all  the  Objections  which  are  apt  to 
rife  in  the  Hearts  of  fuch  that  are  athirft 
for  the  Water  of  Life,  he  makes  this  royal 
Proclamation  from  his  Throne  :  Andwbo- 
Joeverwill,  let  him  take  the  Water  of  Life 
freely. 

And  now,  my  dear  Friend,  how  is  it 
with  thee  ?  Haft  thou  feen  thy  Sin  and 
Mifery  by  Nature,  that  thou  art  utterly 
undone  without  Chrift  ?  Haft  thou  had 
any  Difcernings  of  his  Beauty,  and  All- 
Sufficiency  to  five,  even  the  Chief  of  Sin- 
ners ?  And  haft  thou  been  fet  a  longing, 
a  thirfting  after  an  Intereft  in  him,  and  his 
Salvation  ?  Why,  thou  art  the  Perfon  thus 
invited  to  come.  The  Spirit,  the  Bride , 
and  he  that  heareth  jay,  Come.  And  left, 
after  all,  thou  fhouldft  be  afraid  that  Chrift's 
Heart  is  not  towards  thee,  He  fays  Come ; 
and  what  wouldft  thou  have  more  ?  Oh  ! 

grie<i 


(  i86  ) 

grieve  nof  the  Holy  Spirit,  by  flighting  his 
Call,  do  not  flight  the  Bride's  Voice  in  her 
Minifters,  nor  yet  the  Voice  of  him  that 
heareth,  nor  fniit  thine  Ear  to  the  Call  of 
Chrift  himfelf !  Thou  art  call'd,  and  call'd 
again.  Art  thou  cthirft  ?  Thou  art  the 
Man  that  Chrift  calls  to  come  unto  him 
and  drink.  But  it  may  be  thou  wilt  fay, 
'  I  am  athirft  for  Life  and  Salvation  by 
1  Jefus  Chriit  ;  but  I  am  afraid  I  am  not 
■  one  of  them  that  it  is  defigned  for  ;  and 
*  I  am  fo  unworthy,  I  am  afraid  it  will 
c  never  be  beftowed  upon  me  \  Thefe 
thy  Fears  Chrift  forefaw,  and  provided  a 
Cordial  for  thee  beforehand.  Liften  there- 
fore, and  receive  in  Faith,  the  Life-giving 
Words  of  his  Mouth,  in  this  royal  Procla- 
mation from  his  Throne  :•  Aid  ivhofoever 
will,  let  him  take  the  JVater  of  Life  freely. 
He  fays,  Wbofcever  [Will]  :  Haft  thou  \ 
Will  ?  Thou  art  the  Man  he  fpeaks  to,  as 
much  as  if  there  was  never  another  in  the 
World  in  thy  Cafe.  Aye,  fay  ft  thou,  c  I 
c  have  a  Will,  but  I  have  no  Worthinefs; 
c  my  Heart  hangs  back,  I  am  afraid  to 
c  venture  \  Hark  then,  what  he  favs  unto 
this.  Let  hi?n  take  the  Water  of  Life  freely. 
[Let]  him,  &c\  This  is  ChrifVs  Grant  of 
Life  and  Salvation  unto  thee.  Oh  !  Open 
the.  Mouth  of  Faith,  and  take  thy  Fill. 

Chrift 


(  *87  ) 

Chrift  bids  thee  take  the  Water  of  Life 
freely.  [Freely] !  This  will  reach  thy  Cafe, 
if  thou  waft  the  moil  unworthy  Creature 
under  Heaven  :  For  here's  no  Condition, 
nothing  to  be  done  by  thee  to  procure  or 
earn  this  Water  of  Life.  No,  it  is  fet 
abroach  freely,  for  thy  thirfty  Soul  to  take 
its  Fill  both  here  and  hereafter.  Again 
[Freely]  !  Tis  as  if  Chrift  mould  fay, 
Drink,  yeay  drink  abundantly  :  Thou  needft 
not  fear  drinking  the  River  of  Life  dry : 
There's  fuch  an  infinite  Abundance  of 
Grace  and  Life  in  me,  that  thou  mayft 
take  thy  Fill,  however  large  thy  Defires 
are  -,  and  when  thou  haft  it,  there  will  be 
never  the  lefs  in  me.  There's  an  infinite 
Fulnefs  of  Grace  and  Life  in  Chrift,. for 
every  thirfty  Souh  And  this  mines  forth 
in  the  World  [The],  Let  him  take  the 
Water  of  Life ;  not  [Of]  the  Water  of 
Life  y  as  if  one  was  call'd  to  take  one  Part, 
and  another  another,  juft  as  much  as  they 
needed.  No,  Chrift  calls  every  thirfty  Soul 
that  has  a  Will,  a  Defire  to  be  faved  by 
him,  to  take  up  and  pofTefs  by  Faith,  all 
that  infinite  Fulnefs  of  endlefs  Life  and 
Glory  that  is  in  him.  To  take  it  all  up  at 
once,  and  live  upon  it  as  its  own,  in  the 
Right  of  it,  as  well  as  to  derive  thence  a 
prefent    and  fucceffive   Supply  of   all  its 

Wants 


(  i88  ) 
Wants  thro*  Time,  and  to  Eternity.     So; 
that  here  is  Grace  enough  for  thee  ;  'tis  as 
full  as  it  is  free ;  and  in  both  refpec?cs  it  is  i 
infinite  !    Come  therefore,  at  ChrifVs  Call, 
and  venture  thro*  ten  thoufand  Difficulties, 
to  take  the  Water  of  Life  freely.    Come  as 
thou  canft,take  in  as  much  as  thou  canfl: ;  at- 
tempt thy  Duty  -y  Chrift  will  ftrengthen  thy 
Faith  ere  thou  art  aware.    And  if  thou  canfl 
take  but  now  and  then  a  Sip  of  the  Water  of 
Life,  know,    for   thy    Comfort,   that  the 
whole  River  of  it  is  thine. 

One  more,  does  Chrift  fay,  Come,  Let  him 
take,  &c.  Thefe  Words  have  in  'em,  not 
only  the  fweeteft  Invitation,  but  alfo,  an 
efficacious  Voice  of  thy  Saviour,  as  thy 
King  3  which,  in  his  own  Time,  will  ripen 
thy  Faith  into  that  Motion  he  now  calls 
for  ;.  and  command  off  thine  Enemies, 
which  now  hinder  thy  coming,  and  taking 
the  Water  of  Life  freely. 

Grace  be  with  thy  Spirit. 

lam  Tours  in  Chrift  %  &c. 


L  E  T- 


(  *89) 


LETTER    XXVIII. 
To  Afr.E.S. 

Dear  Brother, 

CI  Race  and  Peace  be  multiplied   unto 
J  you,  from  God  our  Father,  and  our 
Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  by  God  the  Comforter. 

When  I  had  concluded  to  write  to  the 
reft  of  our  dear  Friends,  I  was  defirous  to 
fend  a  Line  unto  you,  as  a  Token  of  my 
Love  ;  and  that  Word  dropt  on  my  Heart 
for  you,  PfaL  xlv.  2.  Thou  art  fairer 
than  the  Children  of  Men. 

I  know  that  you  have  fccn  much  of 
ChrijTs  Beauty,  Excellency,  and  Glory  al- 
ready, to  the  attracting  your  Soul  after 
him,  to  the  transforming  you  into  his  Like- 
nefs,  and  to  the  filling  of  you  with  Joy  un- 
fpeakable,  and  glorious  :  But  there  is  yet 
more,  infinitely  more  to  be  beheld  in  your 
Beloved,  who  is  the  Chief  eft  often  thoufand, 
and  altogether  lovely  ! 

You 


(  J9°  ) 

You  have  feen  much  of  the  Beauty  of 
the    Saints,    which  has  drawn   out   your 
Love,  and  knit  your  Soul  to  'em,  as  your 
own  Company,  as  the  'Excellent  of  the  Earth, 
in  whom  is  all  your  Delight.     They  are 
indeed  Jewels  in  Chrijl's  Efteem,  and  have 
a  fparkling  Glory  on  them;  but  remember, 
'tis  his  Sun-like  Face  that  cafls  their  Luftre; 
they  mine  forth  in  the  Glory  of  his  Rays. 
Theirs  is  but  a  derived  Beauty  from  his  in- 
comparable Fairnefs !    and  is  no  more,   if 
compar'd  wTith  his,  than  the  fmalleft  Atome 
to  the  whole  Mafs  of  Earth,  a  Drop  to  the 
Ocean,  or  a  Beam  to  the  Sun  !  No,  nor  fo 
much  neither  :  For  Chri/t  is  fairer,  infinite- 
ly fairer  than  thefe,  who  are  the  faireft  of 
the   Sons  of  Men.     Some  of  the  Saints 
mine  forth  more  eminently  in  one  Grace, 
and  fome  in  another  ;  and    a  Difference 
will  be  feen  among  the  Harry  Glories  of  the 
firft    Refurredtion  :    But  all   Excellencies 
meet  in  Chri/ty  as  the  Circumference-Lines 
in  their  Center,  as  the  fcatter'd  Beams  in 
the  Body  of  the  Sun.     So  that  look  upon 
the  faireft  of  the  Children  of  Men,  in  their 
faireft  Condition,  in  this  World  or  that  to 
come,  and   Chrift  far   exceeds   them    all. 
But  oh,  my  weak  Eye  !  How  little  can  I 
take  in   of  the  Glory  of  this  bright  Ob- 
ject! 


(  W  ) 

jeft  !  Oh,  how  little  have  Ifeen  !  And 
how  little  can  I  lay  of  his  Soul-ravifhing 
Beauty  !  of  his  adorable  Excellency  ! 
I  would  only  point  you  to  him,  my 
Brother,  and  fay,  as  John  the  Baptiji, 
Behold  the  Lamb  of  God  ! 

Behold  the  Chrift  of  God  !  Look  up- 
on him  in  his  tranfcendent  Fairnefs ;  he's 
fairer  than  the  Children  of  Men  :  Fairer, 
in  his  Relations,  as  Head,  Husband,  Bro- 
ther, Friend,  &c.  fairer  in  his  Love, 
Mercy,  Grace,  Wifdom,  Power,  Faith- 
fulnefs,  &c.  Fairer,  in  his  Covenant-En- 
gagements -y  fairer,  in  his  Conception  and 
Birth  ;  fairer,  in  the  Performances  of  his 
Life;  fairer,  in  the  wonderful  Atchieve- 
ments  of  his  Death  ;  fairer,  in  his  great 
Refurrection  ;  fairer,  in  his  glorious  Af- 
ceniion  ;  fairer,  in  his  Exaltation  now 
in  Heaven  :  And  as  he  now  is,  (by  Co- 
venant-Settlement)  fo    he   will    ere   long 


appea 


fairer  than  the  Children  of  Men 


in  his  Glory-Reign  y  and  fairer  alfo  in 
his  laft  great  Judgment  of  Men  and  De- 
vils, at  the  End  of  Time  :  And  then 
among  the  innumerable  Company  of  glo- 
rified Saints  and  Angels,  he'll  fhine  forth 
for  ever,  as  infinitely  fairer  than  the 
Children  of  Men  !    while  himfelf,   their 

eternal 


(  «9*  ) 

eternal  Sun,  darts  forth  upon  them  all 
their  bright  and  endlefs  Glory  !  But 
oh,  the  unfearchable  Riches  of  Cbri/t's 
Fairnefs  !  Neither  Men  nor  Angels  can 
fully  know,  or  fet  it  forth  ! 

That  the  God  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift, 
the  Father  of  Glory,  may  grant  unto  you 
the  Spirit  of  Wifdom  and  Revelation  in  the 
Knowledge  of  him,  who  is  infinitely  fairer 
than  the  Children  of  Men  ,  to  the  changing 
you  into  the  fame  Image  from  Glory  to  Glory  > 
to  the  preparing  you  for  abundant  Ufe- 
fulnefs  in  this  prefent  Time,  and  a  weigh- 
ty Crown  at  Chriffs  Appearing,  is  the  ear- 
neft  Defire  of 

Tours,  in  our  own  Lord  Jefus,  &c. 


LETTER     XXIX. 

To  Mrs.  E.  G. 

Dear  Friend  in  the  Lord, 

C*1  Race    unto   you,    and  Peace    from 
~J  God  our  Father,   and   from  Jefus 
Chrift  our  Lord. 

Having  heard  of  your  prefent  Diftrefs, 

by  reafon  of  atheijtical  Thoughts,  I  was 

2  willing 


(  193  ) 

willing  to  write  fome what  unto  you.  And 
I  would  advife,  as  the  Lord  fhall  enable 
you,  to  three  Things.     As, 

i .  Be  not  over-much  caft  down  by  rea- 
fon  of  your  prefent  Exercife.  For  the  fame 
Afflictions  are  accompliJJS  d  in  your  Brethren 
which  are  in  the  World.  Think  not  your 
Cafe  Angular :  For  many  of  God's  Chil- 
dren have  been  engag'd  with  the  Powers 
of  Darknefsy  in  the  fame  Combat  that  you 
.now  are  ;  and  thro*  the  Captain  of  their 
Salvation,  have  got  a  triumphant  Victory 
over  them. 

2.  When  thefe  vile  Thoughts  prefs  in 
upon  your  Mind,  endeavour  to  caft  them 
out  with  as  much  Lothing,  and  as  little 
Diftrefs  as  you  can.  This  was  Mr.  J  erne- 
ways  Advice  to  a  Friend  of  his,  troubled 
with  blafphemous  Thoughts,  "  They  are, 
<c  fays  he,  the  Morfels  which  Satan  would 
"  have  you  fwallow  down  ".  And  there- 
fore caft  them  out  with  Lothing  $  but  be 
not  diftreffed  :  For  they  are  not  your  Sins, 
any  further  than  confented  to,  "  They 
"  are,  fay  he,  Satan's  Strivings  to  ravifh  the 
u  Spoufe  of  Jefus  ;  for  which  he  fhall  pay 
u  dear  one  Day  ".  And  fo  far  as  they  are 
a  Burden,  an  Affliction  to  the  Soul,  fo  far 
as  it  crys  out  againft  them,  fo  far  they  are  a 
I  Force 


(  *94  ) 
Force  put  upon  it.     And  the  Cafe  is  the 
lame  with  that  of  the  betrothed  Dam/el, 
under  the  Law,  who  was  not  to  die,    if  a 
Man  met  her  in  the  Field,  and  forc'd  her  ; 
becaufe  (he  cried  out,  and  there  was  none 
to  deliver  her,  Dent.  xxii.  25,  26,27.   But 
iuppofe  the  worft   that  can  be,   that   thy 
Heart  joins  with  Satan  herein,  and  fo  thou 
becomeft  guilty,  and  filthy  hereby :  (And 
how  far  our  wicked  Hearts  join  Iflue  with 
Satan  in  his  vile  Suggeftions,    God  only 
knows;   I  am  apt  to  think,  we  feldom,  if 
ever,  come  off  without  fome  Meafure  of 
Guilt  and  Defilement).     Yet  thou  haft  no 
Reafon  to  be  diftreffed  with  a  defponding 
Fear,  as  if  there  was  no  Help  for  thee  in 
God.      For  were  thy  Sins  ten   thoufand 
times  more  and  greater  than  they  are,   the 
Multitude  of  God's  great  Mercies  infinite- 
ly exceed  them.     And  if  he  refolve  to  be 
gracious  to  thee,  and  to  fhew  Mercy  on 
thee,  down  they  muft  fall  before  pardoning 
Grace,   and  overflowing    Mercy,    as    the 
Egyptians  did,  in  the  Red-Sea,  and  rife  no 
more  to  condemn  thee.     Were  thy  Sins  as 
ScarktyVtd  like  Crimjbn,  the  Blood  of  Chri/i 
can  make  thee  white  as  Snow.     And  there- 
fore, 

3.  Whenever  Sin  and  Satan  affault  you, 
labour,  upon  the  firft  Onfet,  to  flee  for  Re- 
fuge 


(  '95  ) 

fuge  to  the  Hope  jet  before  you  ;  to  hafte 
away  to  Chrijl,  that  Man  who  is  an  Hiding- 
Place  from  the  Wittd,  a  Covert  from  the 
Tempejl,  as  Rivers  of  Water  in  a  dry  Place \ 
and  the  Shadow  of  a  great  Rock  in  a  weary 
Land,  Ifa.  xxxii.  2. 

Doth  the  Wind  of  Temptation  blow 
hard  upon  thee  ?  Chrijl  is  an  Hiding-Place 
from  the  Wind.  Not  only  from  the  Wind, 
the  great  Whirlwind  of  God's  Wrath, 
which  fhall  drive  away  all  that  are  found 
out  of  Chrifi,  like  Chaff]  into  everlafting 
Burnings  -,  but  he  is  alio  an  Hiding- Place 
from  the  Wind  of  Satan's  Temptations, 
where  thou  mayft  be  exceeding  fafe  from 
all  Harm,  in  the  moft  evil  Day  that  can 
befal  thee.  The  Name  of  the  Lord,  the 
Lord  Jefus  the  great  Saviour,  is  a  jirojig 
Tower  for  a  poor  Sinner  ;  Oh !  run  into 
it;  and  thou  (halt  be  fafe,  Prov.  xviii.  10. 
Do,  as  the  Pfalmiji  laid  he  would,  PfaL 
lvii.  1 .  Under  the  Shadow  of  thy  Wings  will 
I  make  my  Refuge,  until  the fe  Calamities  are 
overpaft.  Doft  thou  fee  thy  Sinfulnefs  and 
Mifery  by  Nature,  doth  the  Enemy  purfue 
thy  Soul  ?  Hath  he  fmitten  thy  Life  down 
to  the  Ground,  doft  thou  feel  the  Pain  of 
his  fiery  Darts,  and  can  ft  thou  not  do  any 
thing  to  fave  or  deliver  thyfelf  from  the 
Wrath  to  come,  from  that  inexpreilible 
I  2    1  and 


(  i96  ) 

and  eternal  Mifery  which  is  the  due  Defert 
of  every  Tranfgreflion  ?  Why,  Chrift  calls 
thee  to  look  unto  him,  as  once  made  Sin 
and   a  Curfe  for   poor  Sinners,  by   whole 
Stripes  we  are  healed.     He  fays,  Look  unto 
me,   and  be  ye  faved,   all  the  Ends  of  the 
Earth,  Ifa.  xlv.  22.  Oh,  caftup  thine  Eye 
therefore  unto  a  once  crucified   Jefus  ;  fee 
him,  bearing  Sin,  and  the  Wrath  of  God, 
and  making  a  full   Satisfaction   to    divine 
Juftice  for  fucn  poor  Souls  that  fee  they 
have  not  a  Mite  to  pay  ;   fee  him,  con- 
flicting with  the  Powers  of  Darknefs,  and 
gaining  a  complete  Victory  over  them,  that 
we  might  be  deliver'd  from  Satan,    who 
had  the  Power  of  Death.  Yea,  caft  up  thine 
Eye  toarifen  Jefus  j  fee  him,  difcharg'd 
from  Sin,   having  for  ever  made  an  End  of 
its   fee   him,   jbffify'd  in  the  Name  and 
Room  of  poor  Sinners,  who  have  no  Righte- 
oufnefs  of  their  own,  to  ftand  in  before  God ; 
fee  him,    afcending   up  on  high,  leading 
Captivity   captive,  that  we  might  be  fet 
free ;    fee  him,  enthron'd  at  God's  right 
Hand,  exalted  as  a  Prince  and  a  Saviour, 
to  give  Repentance  unto  Ifrael  and  Remijjion 
of  Sins  5   and  as  a  companionate  High- 
Priefr,  that  knows  how  to   fuccour  the 
Tempted,  having   once    fuffer'd  himfelf, 
being  tempted  in  all  Points  like  as  we  are, 

that 


(  *97  ) 
that  he  might  fympathize  with  us  under 
Temptations,fhiekl  and  fupport  us  in  thern, 
and  deliver  us  from  them  :  View  him  as 
he  ever  liveth  to  make  Interceffion,  and  as 
fiich,  able  to  feme  to  the  utter  mo  ft,  all  them 
that  come  unto  God  by  kirn.  Thus  look 
unto  Chrift  the  great  Saviour,  as  an  undone 
Sinner  in  thyfelf,  for  thy  own  Salvation  $ 
caft  thy  Soul  into  his  Arms,  at  the  Feet 
of  his  Mercy,  and  reft  upon  His  faithful 
Promife  :  He  fays,  Thou  jhalt  be  faved. 
He  bids  thy  weary,  heavy  laden  Soul,  to 
come  unto  him  ;  and  he  has  promis'd  to 
give  thee  Re/t,  Matt.  xi.  28.  His  Arms 
Itand  wide  open  to  embrace  thee  ;  and  he's 
infinitely  more  willing  to  receive  thee,  than 
thou  can  ft  be  to  commit  thy  Soul  into 
his  Hands.  Then  venture,  with  innume- 
rable Sins,  innumerable  Fears,  and  thro' 
innumerable  Oppositions,  to  caft  thyfelf 
upon  Chrift ;,  the  mighty  Saviour,  and  thou 
(halt  be  laved  to  the  uttermoft.  Thou 
muff  believe,  or  die  5  reft  upon  Chrift,  and 
run  into  him,  or  perifh  :  Therefore  itand 
not  to  heiitate  whether  he  will  fave  thee, 
or  not ;  but  venture  in  unto  him,  and  fay, 
with  Efther,  I  will  go  in  unto  the  King,  and 
if  Iperijh,  IperiJJ:  ;  and  the  royal  Scepter 
of  his  Grace  (hall  be  holden  out,  for  thee 
to  touch,  and  live.  Doth  Satan  alTault 
I  3  thee 


(  i98  ) 

thee  with  the  Wind  of  Temptation,   to 
drive  thee  away   from   Chrift  ?  Oh,   run 
the  fafter  to  him,  and  he'll  hide  thee  from 
all  Evil,  and  fcreen  thee  from  all  Danger : 
For  never  did  any  Soul  perifh,  or  want  Suc- 
cour,  that  fed  unto   Chrift  for   Refuge, 
He  will  cover  thy   Head  in  the   Day  of 
Battle,  and  fend   thee  fuitable  Grace  and 
Strength,accordingto  thy  Day  of  Trial.  Chrift 
has  all  the  Legio?is  of  Devils  in  his  Power, 
and  gathers  the  Wind  of  Temptation  in  his 
Fifty  as  well  as  he  doth  the  natural  Wind. 
And  in  Meafure  when  it  fhooteth  forth,  he 
will  debate  with  it.     He'll  not  fuffer  you  to 
be  tempted  above  that  you  are  able,  but  will 
with  the  Temptation  make  a  Way  to  efcape, 
that  you  may  be  able  to  bear  it,  I  fa.  xxvii.  8. 
i  Cor. x.  13.     He'll  not  let  it  blow  too 
hard  upon  thee  while  it  lafts ;   nor  will  he 
let  it  blow  upon  thee  always  neither.    For 
he  is  full  of  Companion,  and  will  not  always 
chide.     He    knoweth  cur  Frame  -,  and  re- 
membreth  that  we  are  Duft,  Pfal.  ciii.  14. 
He  knows  the  Power  of  Temptations,  the 
Pain  of  Satan's  fiery  Darts  ;  having  once 
felt  them  in   the  Days  of  his  Flefh  :  And 
therefore  from  his  own  Experience,  he'll 
not  only  fympathize  with  thee  in  them,  but 
graciouily  deliver  thee  from  them.     He'll 
rebuke  the  Tempter,   and  caufe  the  Wind 

of 


(  *99  ) 
of  Temptation  to  ceafe,  and  create  a  Calm 
in  thy  toffed,  troubled  Soul,  by  a  Word  of 
his  Power,  when  the  appointed  Moment 
of  thy  Deliverance  is  come  ;  as  he  rebak'd 
the  natural  Wind,  and  it  obey'd  him, 
Mar.  iv.  39.  Therefore  run  to  Chrift  for 
Shelter;  and  refifithe  Devil,  and  he'll  flee 
jrom  you,  Jam.  iv.  7.  When  he  fees  that 
thofe  very  Temptations,  by  which  he  de- 
fign'd  to  drive  you  away  from  Chrift,  are 
a  Means  of  your  fleeing  the  fafter  to 
him. 

Again,  do  the  Waves  of  inward  Cor- 
ruption, agitated  by  Satan,  beat  vehement- 
ly againft  thy  Soul,  like  a  mighty  Tempeft, 
which  threatens  to  fwallow  thee  up  ?  Chrift 
is  a  Covert  from  this  Tempeft :  Run  unto 
him  therefore,  as  once  made  Sin,  and  now 
exalted  to  fave  Sinners,  and  thou  malt  be 
fecure  from  all  Harm.  Sin  mall  never  con- 
demn that  Soul,  that  flees  unto  Chrift  for 
Salvation.  No,  Chriffs  Death  will  be  the 
Death  of  Sin,  and  the  Life  of  that  Soul, 
that  flees  unto  him  for  Safety.  Chrift 
crucify'd,  is  fuch  a  Covert  from  the  Tem- 
peft, to  the  Soul  that  runs  into  him,  that 
not  a  Drop  of  divine  Wrath  mail  ever  light 
upon  it.  Chrift  has  fo  born  Sin,  Curfe,  and 
the  Wrath  of  God,  that  he  hath  for  ever 
born  it  away  from  that  Soul :  And  God  as 
I  4  the 


(    200    ) 

the  God  of  Peace,  freely,  fully, and  eternal" 
ly  forgives  all  its  Iniquities,   even  ail  man- 
ner of  Sin  and  Blaiphemy  whatever,  where- 
by it  has  tranfgreffed  againft  him.     And  as 
Chrift  is  a  Covert  from  the  Tempeft  of  Sin, 
in  its  condemning  Power  j  fo  alfo  from  its 
tyranizing  Power,  unto  every  Soul  that  flees 
unto  Him  for  Relief.     He  will  fubdue  our 
Iniquities  for  us,   as  well  as  cajl  all  our  Sins 
into  the  Depths  of  the  Sea,  Mic.  vii.  1 8 .  Chrift 
can  keep  thee  from  fainting  in  the  Combate, 
and  enable  thee  to  hold  out  in  the  Storm  4, 
until  the  Jet  Time  to  favour  thee,  in  a  peace- 
ful Calm,   come.      And   then,  with   one 
Word  of  his  Mouth,  hell  jilence  the  Bil- 
lows of  Corruption  ;  as,  in  the  Days  of  his 
Flefh,  he  commanded  the  Sea.  and  it  obevd 
him  -,  as  well  as  the  Wind,  and  it  ceajed.   For 
he  ruleth  the  raging  of  the  Sea  of  Corruption, 
when    the  Waves  thereof  ari/e,    he  flilleth 
them  -,  as  he  doth  the  Raging  of  the  Wa- 
ters in  the  natural  Sea,  when  it  is  moft  tem- 
peftuous  ;  faying,  Hitherto  fait  thou  come, 
and  no  further  -,  and  Here  Jhall  thy  proud. 
Waves  be  fayed,  Pfal.  lxxxix.  9.  Job.  xxxviii. 
1 1 .     How  bleiTed  then  are  thofe  Souls  who 
take   Sanctuary  under  the  Shadow  of  his 
Wings  !  That  harbour  in  him,  who  is  a' 
Covert  from  the  Tempeft  ! 

Further, 


(    ««    ) 

Further,    is   thy   thirfty    Soul   almoft 
parch'd  up  with  the  Heat  of  Temptations? 
Is  the  World  a  dry  Place  to  thee,  that  car/ ft 
not  afford  thee  one  Drop  of  spiritual  Re- 
frefhment,    or   Soul-Confolation  ?  In   this 
Cafe,  Chrift  is   as  Rivers  of  Water  in  a  dry 
Place.     As  cold  Waters  to  a  thirfiy  Tra- 
veller, that's  ready  to  famifli   for   Third, 
under  the  parching  Beams  of  the  Sun  ; 
fo,  and  much  more  is  Chrift,  unto  the  Soul 
that  panteth  after  him.     Oh,  the  reviving 
Efficacy j   the  tranfeendent  Sweetnefs,   the 
abundant  Fulnefs  of  Chrift  y  as  the  Foun- 
tain of  Grace,   unto  that  Soul  that  is  ready 
to  per  if j  for  Want  of  it  -}  when  once  it  is  led 
by  the  Spirit,  to  lay  the  Mouth  of  its  Faith 
to  this  Fountain  of  living  Water  !  Here  it 
may  Drink  its  Fill,    and    bathe   itfelf  in. 
Pleafures,  with  Joy  unfpeakabie   and  full, 
of  Glory  !  Nor  is  he  only  as  Waters  in  a 
dry  Place,  when   Chrift  and  the  Soul  firft 
meet,  for  its  prefent  Refreshment;  but  he  is 
alio,   as  Rivers   of  Water,  for  its  conftant 
Supply.     Chrift  is  not  like  a  failing  Brooky 
which  in  the   Summer's  Drought  deceives 
the  thirfty  Traveller ;  which,  perhaps,  was 
once  full   for  his  Refrefliment,   but  now 
empty,  and  can  afford  him   none :   But 
Chrift  is  as    a  River,  a  broad  River  with 
Streams.     For  fo  this  Glorious  LORD  will 

I  5  be 


(    202    ) 

be  unto  us,  Ifa.  xxxiii.  21.  while  pafiing 
thro*  this  Land  of  Drought,  this  Wilder- 
nefs -World,  unto  the  Heavenly  Canaan. 
He'll  be  a  River  of  Life,  for  Fulnefs,  to 
fupply  our  Wants,  however  great  our  Ne- 
ceffities  be ;  a  River,  for  Freenefs,  how- 
ever unworthy  we  are  ;  and  a  River,  for 
Duration,  to  fupply  us  continually  ;  yea,  as 
Rivers  of  Water  in  a  dry  Place  :  There  is  in 
Chrifty  not  only  a  full,  free,  and  perpetual 
Supply  of  Grace  ;  but  of  all  kinds  of 
Grace  :  There  is  in  him  a  glorious  Variety, 
that  is  every  way  fufficient  to  anfwer  all 
our  Wants,  to  fatisfy  all  our  Defires,  and 
to  fill  us  with  all  kinds  of  heavenly  Plea- 
fures  and  new  Delights,  thro'  Time,  and  to 
Eternity  !  He'll  be  as  Rivers  of  Water  of 
Life  unto  us  here  in  Grace,  and  hereafter 
m  Glory !  Then  hafte  away  to  this  living 
Supply ! 

Once  more,  Is  thy  Soul  weary,  and  al- 
moft  tired  out,  by  reafon  of  the  continual 
Perfecution  of  the  Enemy,  which,  like  the 
Sun  upon  Travellers  in  hot  Countries, 
beats  upon  thy  Head,  and  makes  thee  ready 
to  faint  and  die  for  want  of  a  little  re- 
freshing Shade  ?  Why,  Chrift  is  alfo  as  the 
Shadmv  of  a  great  Rock  in  a  weary  Land, 
in  this  weary  Wildernefs.  Come,  fit  down 
tinder  his  Shadow,  and  thou  fhalt  find  great 
2  Delight, 


(  "3  ) 
Delight.  His  cooling  Shade  will  refiefh 
and  comfort  thy  weary  Soul.  He  is  as 
the  Shadow  of  a  Rock,  which  none  of 
the  penetrating  Beams  of  the  San  can  pierce 
thro',  to  moleft  or  annoy  thee  ;  of  a  great 
Rock,  that  is  large  enough  to  cover  thee 
all  over.  Here  thou  mayft  fit,  and  take  an 
holy  Eafe  :  For  this  Rock  will  defend  thee 
from  all  Harm  and  Danger  :  Aye,  and 
which  is  more,  this  Rock  will  fupply  thee 
with  all  heavenly  Necefiaries.  For  here- 
in, CJjrift  tranfcends  all  natural  Rocks. 

A  weary  Traveller  may  be  glad  to  em- 
brace the  Rock  for  a  Shelter,  and  fit  down 
under  its  Shade  for  a  while,  to  refrefh  him 
from  the  fcorching  Sun  :  But  if  he  fit  there 
long,  he  may  ftarve  and  die  for  want  of 
Suitenance  :  For  nothing;  of  that  Nature 
can  the  flinty  Rock  afford  him.  But  'tis 
not  fo  with  that  Soul  who  fits  down  un- 
der the  Rock,  Chrijt.  No,  wherever  Chrijt 
is  a  Rock  for  Defence,  he  is  alio  a  Fountain, 
a  Store-houfe  for  Supply.  To  that  Soul  that 
has  the  Munition  cj  Rocks  for  its  Defence, 
Bread,  the  Bread  of  Life,  {hall  be  given, 
and  its  Waters,  of  Confolation,  fhall  be 
fure,  Ifa.  xxxii.  16.  Thus  the  Spoufe, 
fpeaking  of  Chrijt  under  the  Metaphor  of 
an  Apple  -Tree,  I  fat  down,  fays  me,  under 
his  Shade  with  great  Delight,  and  his 
I  6  Fruit 


(  2°4  ) 

Fruit  was  fweet  unto  my  Tafte,  Cant.  ii. 
3.  There  is  in  Chrift,  all  kinds  of  re- 
freshing Shade,  and  all  kinds  of  nourifhing 
Supply.  And,  in  a  Word,  there's  enough 
for  thee  in  him,  to  fave  thee  from  all 
Mifery,  unto  all  Glory,  thro'  all  Times, 
and  unto  all  Eternity  !  But  what  fhall  I 
fay  ?  There's  more  in  Chrift  than  Words 
can  exprefs,  than  the  Tongue  of  Men  and 
Angels  can  tell  out,  or  their  Hearts  con- 
ceive, to  an  endlefs  Eternity !  Oh,  Come 
and  fee  !  Come,  and  tafte,  that  the  Lord 
is  Good!  and  bleffedare  allthofe  who  put  their 
truft  in  him,  Pfal.  xxiv.  8. 

And  now  that  you  may  be  drawn  by  the 
Cords  of  Love  into  the  fwifteft  Motion  after 
Chrift,  and  the  neareft  Communion  with 
him,  to  your  full  Joy,  and  complete  De- 
liverance, is  the  earneft  Defire  of, 

Tour   AffeEiionate  Friend,   and  humble 
Servant  in  the  Lord,   &c. 


LET- 


(    205    ) 


LETTER     XXX. 

To  Mrs.  E.  B. 

Dear  and  honour  d  Siller, 

C^l  Race  unto  you,  and  Peace  be  multi- 
~J  plied,  from  God  our  Father,  and  our 
Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  by  the  blefiecl  Com- 
forter. 

I  am  given  to  underftand  by  Sifter  J--n, 
That  you  are  exercis'd,  both  with  Afflicti- 
on of  Body,  and  Darknefs  of  Soul ;  and  I 
fympathize  with  you  herein.     But  think  it 
not  Jlrange,  my  dear  Sifter,  concerning  the 
fiery  Trials   you  meet   with,   as   if  fofne 
jlrange   Thing  had  happen  d  unto  you.     Re- 
member,  the  LORD  hath  his    Fire   in 
Zion,  and  his  Furnace  in  Jerufalem.  I  fa. 
xxxi.  9.     to    refine,    not  to    deftroy  his 
People.     God  fends   Afflictions  upon  his 
Children  for  their  good  :  Sin  and  Satan, 
indeed  aim  at  our  Deftruction  herein  ;  but 
God  bounds  their  Rage,  and  over-rules  their 
Malice,  to  iffue  in  his  own  Glory,  and  our 
Salvation.     The  Defign  of  Sin  and  Satan, 
is,  the  Deftruclion  of  our  Graces,  as  well 
as  of  our  Perfons  i  and  therefore  they  blow 

up 


(    206    ) 

up  the  Fire  of  Affliction  to  the  utmoft, 
and  would  continue  it  until  we  are  con- 

*  fumed.  But,  c  Hold,  fays  the  Lord,  my 
c  Children  are  my  Gold,  precious  in    my 

*  Efteem  ;  and  they  mull  pafs  thro*  the 
c  Fire  to  be  refined,  but  not  lie  there  till 
c  they  fuffer  Lofs  \  And  therefore  when 
we  are  in  the  Furnace,  our  God  fits  by,  to 
fee  that  the  Fire  be  not  too  hot,  nor  con- 
tinued too  long  upon  us  -y  as  the  Refiner 
watcheth  his  Gold,  manages  it  while  in  the 
Furnace,  and  takes  it  out  thence,  when  it 
is  fully  purify'd,  Mai,  iii.  3. 

Well  then,  my  dear  Sifter,  fince  you  are 
one  of  them  who  are  precious  in  the  Sight 
of  the  Lord,  you  muft  pafs  thro' the  Fire  of 
Afflictions  But  fince  it  is  the  LORD'S 
Fire,  which  he  has  appointed,  which  he 
manageth,  and  which  he'll  reftrain  at  his 
Pleafure,  truft  thyfelf  in  the  Hands  of  thy 
infinitely  wife  and  gracious  Refiner,  and 
thou  [halt  come  out  of  it,  both  with  prefent 
and  eternal  Advantage.  This  Affliction, 
as  an  Inftrument  in  the  Hand  of  God,  the 
Almighty  Agent,  is  at  Work  upon  thee, 
and  for  thee,  to  exercife  and  increafe  thy 
Graces  here,  and  to  prepare  thee  for  thy 
future  Crown.  Therefore  endure  the  Trial: 
For  blejjed  is  the  Man  that  endureth  Temp- 
tation: 


(    207    ) 

tdtion  :  For  when  he  is  tried,  he  Jhall  re- 
ceive the  Crown  of  Life,  which  the  Lord 
has  promised  to  them  that  love  him,  Jam.  i. 

12. 

But  it  may  be,  you  will  fay,  Aye,  if 
I  was  fure  that  I  was  one  that  lov'd  God, 
I  mould  patiently  wait  for,  and  expect  an 
happy  Iflue  :  But  I  am  afraid  left  I  mould 
deceive  myfelf,  deceive  others,  and  at  laft 
come  fhort  of  that  Reft  which  remains 
for  the  People  of  God. 

As  to  thefe  thy  Fears,  and  ten  Thoufand 
more  of  a  like  Nature,  which  may  arife  in 
thy  Heart  in  a  Time  of  Darknefs,    they  are 
altogether  groundlefs  ;  and  tho'  they  may 
rob  thee  of  thy  Comfort,  they  cannot  rob 
thee  of  thy   Safety  in  Chrift,  nor  of  that 
Inheritance  which  is  referved  for  thee  in 
Heaven.      No,  Hefted  be  God,   you  are 
ftill  juft  where  Free-Grace  fet  you  :  God 
has  fixt  you  in  his  Son,   and  laid  you,  by 
Faith,  upon  Him  the  Rock  of  Ages  -,  and 
now,  your  Salvation  (lands  as  immoveable 
as  the  Rock  on  which  it  is  founded.   The 
Rain  may  defend,  the  Floods  come,  and  the 
Winds  blow,   all  kind  of  Afflictions    and 
Temptations  together,  may  beat  vehement- 
ly againft  your  Faith  of  Safety  in   Chrift, 
but  your  Security  in  him  fhall  never  fall  ; 

becaufe 


(    2Cf8    ) 

becaufe  founded  upon  a  Rock,  that  is  able  to 
bear  the  greateft  Weights  which  are  laid 
upon  it,  and  to  fecure  the  Building  from  aU- 
Danger,  in  the  greater!:  Strefs  of  Weather 
which  can  poffibly  befal  it.  The  Rock  of 
Immutability  is  ftill  beneath  you  ;  and  un- 
lefs  Chrift  could  fink,  your  Soul,  the  Sal- 
vation of  it,  I  mean,  that  leans  upon  him, 
can  never  fall.  You  may  fall  as  to  your 
Frames,  but  can  never  fuftain  one  Shake  as 
to  your  State.  No  ;  The  Foundation  God 
has  laid  in  Sion,  is  a  Stone,  a  trfd  Stone, 
a  precious  Corner-flone,  a  fare  Foundation  -> 
and  he  that  believeth  on  him,  pall  not  be  con- 
JbundedJ&L.xxvm.  16.  i  Peter  ii.6. And  now, 
let  all  the  Obje&ions  be  brought  out,  that 
all  the  Legions  of  Devils,  and  Armies  of 
Corruptions  combin'd,  can  raife  againft  the 
Salvation  of  that  Sinner  that  looks  unto 
Chrift  for  Life,  and  down  they  muft  fall 
before  the  Grace  of  this  Promife  :  God's 
Word  fhall  ftand,  to  the  eternal  Salvation 
of  that  Soul,  and  the  Confufion  of  all  its 
Enemies. 

The  Lord  well  knew,  what  mighty  Af- 
faults  would  be  made  upon  the  Faith  and 
Comfort  of  his  Children,  and  therefore 
added  his  Oath  to  his  Great  Word  ;  That 
by  two  immmutable  Things  y  in  which  it  was 

impof- 


(  2°9  ) 
irnpojjible  for  God  to  lie,  we  might  have  a 
ftrong  Con  [elation,  rjoho  have  fled  for  Refuge 
to  lay  hold  upon  the  Hope  that  is  fet  before 
us,  Heb.  vi.  18.  And  have  not  you,  my  dear 
Siiter,  in  Times  pari,  fled  unto  Chrift  for 
Refuge  ?  Yea,  don't  you  even  now  ?  Dare 
you  flee  unto  any  other  than  the  Name  of 
the  LORD,  the  great  Saviour,  as  your 
Jlrong  Tower,  for  Safety  ?  And  if  you  dare 
not,  why  mould  you  queftion  your  Safety  5 
fince  God's  Word  affures  you  of  it  ?  God 
fays,  The  Soul  that  runneth  into  the  Name 
of  the  LORD,  i§SAFE,  Prov.  xviii.  10. 
Satan  and  Unbelief  fay,  Nay  9  and  pro- 
duce  tQ\\  thoufand  Evidences  againft  iuch 
a  Soul,  in  its  own  Heart  and  Life.  And 
thus  there  is  a  Strife  :  Well,  God  adds  his 
Oath  5  he  comes  in  on  the  Side  of  his 
Child,  whofe  Life  feems  to  hang  in  Suf- 
penfe  ;  and becaufe  he  can  fwear  by  no  great- 
er, he  fwears  by  H I  MS  E  S  F :  That  is, 
he  engages  all  the  Perfections  of  his  Great 
BEING,  for  the  Salvation  of  that  poor 
Sinner,  who  flees  to  Jefus,  the  fent  Saviour : 
and  accordingly,  as  the  infinitely  Wife, 
True,  and  Faithful  God,  gives  Teftimony 
of  the  fame  ;  which,  with  Reverence  be 
it  fpoken,  is  the  higheft  ASSURANCE  the 
GODHEAD  is  capable  of  giving  !  And  if 

the 


(    210    ) 

the  Witnefs  of  faithful  Men  is  to  be  re- 
ceive, the  Witnefs  of  God  is  greater, 
i  John  v.  9.  And  if  an  Oath  among  Men 
is  to  them  an  End  of  all  Strife  ;  what  a  Con- 
firmation muft  the  Oath  of  JEHOVAH 
be! 

Well  then,  my  dear  Sifter,  fince  the 
faithful  God  ftands  for  thy  Salvation,  on 
the  one  Side,  and  the  Powers  of  Darknefs 
ftand  againft  it,  on  the  other :  I  would  fay 
unto  thee,  as  the  Apoftles,  in  another  Cafe, 
Whether  it  be  right  in  the  Sight  of  God,  to 
hearken  unto  you  (for  thee  to  hearken  unto 
Sin  and  Satan)  more  than  unto  God,  judge 
ye.  Attempt  thy  Duty  then,  oh  thou 
fearful-hearted  one,  by  a  frefh  Aft  of  Faith, 
as  one  of  God's  Witnefies,  to  fet  to  thy 
Seal  that  He  /jTRUE  :  To  ftand  thy 
Ground,  in  the  Liberty  wherewith  Chrifi 
has  made  thee  free  -,  even  in  the  very  Face 
of  the  Enemy :  (and  well  thou  mayft, 
fince  the  LORD  ftands  with  thee)  and  thy 
Soul  fhall  tread  down  Strength,  and  put  to 
Flight  the  Armies  of  the  Aliens,  Armies  of 
unbelieving  Thoughts,  mufter'd  up  by 
Satan  the  Prince  of  Darknefs.  And  if 
thou  canft  not  fay,  with  Thomas,  My  Lord, 
and  my  God-,  yet  indulge  not  that  Monfter 
Uhbelief,  that  dares,  in  the  Face  of  fo  much 

Aflurance, 


(  sir  ) 

Aflurance,  to  give  the  faithful  God  the 
Lie  !  But  wherever  the  Enemy  bears  hard 
upon  thee,  that  thou  (halt  perifh ;  endeavour 
to  flee  to  Chrift,  as  a  helplefs,  perifhing 
Sinner,  in  thyfelf,  and  commit  thy  Soul 
afrefh  into  his  Hands,  to  be  kept  till  the 
Day  of  Redemption.  And  in  fo  doing,  thou 
wilt  honour  God,  thy  Soul  will  find  Reft, 
and  Satan  will  be  forc'd  to  flee.  For  when 
he  fees  that  thofe  fiery  Darts  he  moots  at 
thee,  to  drive  thee  off  from  Chrift,  are  a 
Means  to  haften  thy  Flight  to  him,  he'll 
retire.  Therefore  learn  the  Art  of  War, 
and  ftand  to  thy  Arms,  as  a  valiant  Soldier 
of  Jefus  Chrift  ;  oppofing  the  Enemy  wkh 
the  Sword  of  the  Spirit,  which  is  the  Word 
of  God;  holding  up  Chrift  by  Faith,  on 
every  Side,  to  refift  the  fiery  Darts  he 
moots  at  thee,  from  what  Quarter  foever 
they  come.  And  if  at  any  time  he  gives 
thee  a  Foil,  then  run  to  thy  Rock,  and 
hide  thee,  into  the  Name  of  the  LORD, 
thy  Jlrong  Tower,  where  thou  (halt  be 
fafe,  and  fet  aloft  out  of  the  Reach  of  thy 
Enemies. 

But  it  may  be,  thou  wilt  fay,    c   Alas, 
I  am  fo  confufed  and  dark,    fo  weak  and 
wounded,    that  I  can  neither    ftand  my 
Ground  for  Chrift,  nor  run  to  him  \ 


If 


(    212    )         , 

If  this  be  thy  Cafe,  then  know  for  thy 
Comfort,  that  the  Captain  of  thy  Salvation 
ftands  for  thee,  and  will  come  to  thee,  when 
thou  canfl  not  come  to  him.  Thy  com- 
panionate High  Prieft  has  Bowels  for  thee, 
every  way  proportionable  to  the  Meafure. 
of  thy  Diftrefs.  He's  a  Man  of  Bowels, 
Yea,  the  God  of  Bowels :  The  Companions 
of  our  Gofpel  High  Prieft  are  infinite  !  And 
having  himfelf  Jitfferd,  being  tempted  hi 
all  Points  like  unto  us,  he  is  able  aifo,  -from 
an  inward,  experimental  Feeling  of  the 
Power  of  Temptations,  to  fuccour  us  when 
tempted,  And  as  he  has  an  Ability  of 
Bowels  to  pity  us,  and  an  Ability  of  Strength 
to  help  us  j  fo  he  has  alfo  Authority  from 
Iiis  Father,  the  broad  Seal  of  Heaven,  to  be 
our  Phyfician  to  heal  us  -,  and  he's  faith- 
ful to  him  that  appointed  him.  So  that  our 
Jefus  is  juft  fuch  a  Saviour  as  we  .  need. 
The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  GOD,  fays  he,  is 
upon  me,  becanfe  he  hath  anointed  me  to 
preach  good  Tidings  to  the  Meek  -,  he  hath 
fent  me  to  bind  up  the  Broken-hearted,  to  pro- 
claim Liberty  to  the  Captives,  and  the 
Opening  of  the  Prifon  to  them  that  are 
bound  -,  To  proclaim  the  acceptable  Tear  of  our 
LORD,  and  the  Day  of  Vengeance  of  are 
God,  to  comfort  all  that  mourn  ;  To  appoint 

unto 


(  2>3  ) 

unto  them  that  mourn  in  Zion,  to  give  them 
Beauty  for  Aflies,  the  Oil  of  Joy  for 
Moumhig,  the  Garment  of  PraiJ'e  for  the 
Spirit  ofHeavinefs,  that  they  might  be  called 
Trees  of  Righteou/hefs,  the  Planting  of  the. 
LORD,  that  he  might  be  glorify  d,  Ifa,  Ixi, 
j,  2,  3.  This  was  the  Work  the  God  of 
all  Grace  fent  him  about  •  and  oh,  with 
what  amazing  Tendernefs  doth  he  perform 
it !  He  healeth  the  Broken  in  Heart ,  and 
bindeth  up  their  Wounds ,  PfaL  cxlvii.  3. 
He  fays  to  the  Prijoners,  Go  forth  $  to 
them  that  are  in  Darknefs,  Shew  your/elves  $ 
and  then  again  they  feed  in  the  Ways,  and 
their  Pa/lures  are  in  all  high  Places,  They 
/hall  not  hunger  nor  thir/l,  neither  jhall 
the  Heat  nor  Sun  /mite  them  :  For  he  that 
hath  Mercy  on  them  Jhall  lead  them  j  even 
by  the  Springs  of  Water  jhall  he  guide 
them,  Ifa.  xlix,  9,  10,  And  thus  the  Lord 
Jefus  will  deal  with  you,  my  dear  Sifter  $ 
therefore  be  ftrong,  fear  not  :  Behold  your 
God  Jhall  come  with  Vengeance,  (to  deftroy 
all  thy  Enemies,  who  fhall  be  found  Liars 
unto  thee)  even  God  with  a  Recompen/e% 
(for  all  thy  waiting  for  him)  he  pall  coim 
and  Jave  you,  Ifa.  xxxv,  3. 

Into  his  Arms  I  commit  you  $  earneft- 

ly  defmng  that  happy  Morning  of  divino 

2  Fa* 


(  214  )   . 

Favour,  which  fhall  arife  upon  your  Soul, 
when  the  fhort  Night  of  your  prefent 
Weeping  is  over  :  Chrift  will  fee  you  a- 
gain,  and  your  Heart  fiall  rejoice,  and 
your  Joy  Jhall  no  Man  take  from  you. 
And,  mean  while,  tho'  Clouds  and  Dark- 
nefs  cover  thee,  Commotions  and  Tem- 
pefts  fhake  thy  Mind  ;  yet  all  is  clear, 
as  to  thy  State,  in  the  upper  Region  of 
Chrift's  Love  ! 

In  Him,  with  dear  Love, 
1  reft  Tours,  &c. 


LETTER    XXXI. 

ToMr.W.andE.C. 

Dear  Brother  and  Sifter, 

I  Beg  leave  to  return  you  hearty  Thanks 
for  all  your  Favours.  lam  very  forry  to 
hear  of  your  Troubles  -,  andfhould  rejoice  to 
hear  of  the  Kindnefs  of  the  Lord,  in  granting 
you  a  fan&ify'd  Ufe  of  'em,  and  an  happy 
Deliverance  from  them.  Let  us  not  think 
I  it 


(  aij  ) 

it  ftrange,  that  in  the  World  we  have  tffibu- 
lation  ;  but  rather  rejoice,  that  in  Chrift  wc 
have  Peace,  amidft  all  the  fhaking  Storms 
and  furging  Waves  that  pafs  over  us.  Va- 
nity and  Vexation  are  wrote  upon  all  the 
Creatures :  No  Satisfaction  or  Reft  for  our 
Souls,  but  in  the  Bofom  of  God.  Riches 
make  them/elves  Wings,  and  jiee  away  -,  but 
they  that  have  Chrifl  for  their  Portion  in- 
herit  a  Subftance,  that  can  never  be  loft  or 
leffen'd.  God  in  Chrift  is  Subftance  ;  all 
Things  elfe  are  Shadows.  If  we  feek  Hap- 
pinefs  in  Creatures  -,  they'll  all  fay,  eventual- 
ly, 'Tis  not  in  me.  But  fo  far  as  God  hath 
our  Hearts,  fo  far  we  are  at  reft.  Becaufe 
the  infinite  Fulnefs  of  his  perfect  and  im- 
menfe  Being  is  a  fatisfying  Good,  to  the 
moil  enlarged  Defires  of  the  Heaven- bom 
Soul.  All  Things  below  God  are  fubjedt 
to  change,  are  parting  from  us,  and  we  from 
them }  but  Jehovah,  our  Portion,  changeth 
not ;  nothing  can  feparate  him  from  us,  nor 
us  from  him.  Oh,  blefled  is  the  Man  whofe 
Godis  JEHOVAH!  WhentheLord 
empties  us  of  Creatures,  the  Language  of 
his  Grace  and  Providence  is,  Come,  my  Peo- 
ple, enter  into  your  Chambers,  and  hide  your- 
felves ;  Come  into  my  Bofom,  take  up  your 
Delights  in  me ;  I  will  be  all  unto  you, 
when  every  thing  elfe  is  gone  :  Hide  your- 

felves 


(  2x6  ; 

feives  under  the  Shadow  of  my  Wings,  un- 
til thefe  Calamities  are  overpaft.  And  oh, 
happy  Soul,  that  is  fill'd  with  God,  when 
empty 'd  of  the  Creature  !  Oh  bleffed  Ex- 
change !  Yea,  may  we  not  fay,  oh  happy 
Trial,  oh  bleffed  Affliction,  that  has  drawn 
me  off  from  the  Circumference-Lines  of 
Creatures-perfeftions,  to  reft  in  GOD,  the 
Center  of  all  my  Bleffednefs  ! 

The  God  of  Peace  fandify  wholly  and 
meeten  you  daily  for  the  Inheritance  of  the 
Saints  in  Lights  which  is  incorruptible ^  un°» 
defiled,  and  fadeth  not  away  I  Begging  your 
Prayers,  I  reft, 

Tours  in  Chrift  for  ever,  &c. 


LETTER    XXXII,         i 
To  Mr,   H. 

Dear  Sir,  my  honoured  and  beloved  Bro~ 
ther  in  Chrift \ 

IT  was  with  Concern  that  I  heard  Mr, 
0—  read  a  Letter  of  yours,  wherein  you 
gave  fome  Account  of  your  inward  and  out- 
ward Trials ;  And  therefore  I  was  defirous 
to  write  a  Line,  in  hopes  it  might  be  con- 
vey'd  to  you,     And,  be  of  good  Comfort, 

my 


(  217  ) 

my  Brother,  you  have  one  Friend,  that  you 
may  have  Communion  with  at  all  times, 
and  it  is  not  in  the  Power  of  any  Creature 
to  intercept  it.     Jefus  Chrift  can  fend  from 
Heaven  unto  you  by  his  Holy  Spirit,   and 
give  you  to  know  his  Mind ;  and  you,  by 
the  Affiftance  of  the  fame  Spirit,  may  fully 
open  your  Heart  unto  him  :  And  no  Crea- 
ture can  hinder  it.     Oh,  prize  your  Friend 
in  Heaven,  and  labour  after  a  more  intimate 
Communion,  and  greater  Familiarity  with 
him,  now  your  Converfe  with  Friends  on 
Earth  is  in  a  great  meafure  cut  off.     This, 
indeed,  is  hard  Treatment  from  the  Crea- 
ture :  But  remember/ tis  a  kind  of  Perfec- 
tion that  you  fuffer  for  Jefus'  Sake  ;  and, 
like  your  Lord,    learn  Obedience  by  the 
Things  you  fuffer,  and  endure  the  Crofs  for 
the  Joy  fet  before  you.     For  this  (hall  turn 
to  your  Salvation,  and  Glory  in  the  Day  of 
Chrift.     It  may  be,  the  Lord  may  have  de- 
fign'd,  (for  look  unto  him  in  it,  thro*  and 
above   the   Creature)   by   cutting  off  the 
Streams,   to  bring  you  to  drink  more  im- 
mediately at  the  Fountain-Head.  And  that 
is  infinitely  better.     Certain  it  is,  that  the 
Voice  of  your  Beloved's  Grace,  in  this  Pro- 
vidence is,  O,   my  Dove,   that  art  in  the 
Clefts  of  the  Rock,   in  the  fecret  Places  of 
the  Stairs,  let  me  hear  thy  Voice,  let  me  fee 
K  th 


(    218    ) 

thy  Countenance  -,  for  ,fweet  is  thy  Voice  y 
and  thy  Countenance  is  comely.  Your  dear 
Lord  Jefus  hath  defired  a  more  free  and 
intimate  Communion  with  you.  Indeed, 
he  loves  you  :  He  loves  you  dearly,  he  loves 
you  (Ironply,  he  loves  you  unchangeably, 
ag|  e  you  eternally.  Oh,  Come  and 

fee  C  t,  and  prove  his  Grace  !  Come, 
and  fee  how  good  the  LORD  is  !  How 
much  better  he  will  be  to  you  than  ten  Sons, 
than  all  the  Creatures  !  Acquaint  now  thy- 
felf  with  him,  and  be  at  Peace  :  Thereby 
Good  fhall  come  unto  thee.  Perhaps,  by 
this  Providence,  well  improv'd,  you  may 
have  a  greater  Experience  of  the  S weetnefs, 
Fitnefs,  Fulnefs,  Excellency  and  Glory  of 
Chrift's  Friendihip  than  ever.  And  from 
hence,  with  the  greateft  Solace  and  Admira- 
tion, commend  him  unto  others,  with  a 
This  is  my  Beloved !  and  This  is  my  Friend  ! 
And  have  you  finn'd  againft  your  Friend  ? 
Have  you  griev'd  your  Friend  ?  Oh,  grieve 
with  him  !  but  do  not  think  that  he  will 
forfake  you  :  For  thus  the  LORD  the  God 
of  Ifrael  faith,  he  hateth  Putting  away. 
If  the  LORD  your  Friend,  had  not  had 
Love  enough  in  his  Heart  to  pardon  all  your 
innumerable  Tranfgreffions,  and  to  pafs  by 
all  your  great  Provocations,  he  would  ne- 
ver have  begun  to  love  you  5  he  would  not 

have 


i  219 ) 

have  fet  his  Heart  upon  you  in  Chrift,  in 

the  Beginning  of  his  Way,  before  his  Works 
of  old  y  nor  yet  would  he  have  begun  to 
manifefr.  his  Love,   by  calling   you   out  of 
Darknefs,  into  his  marvellous  Light.     For 
God's    Love  begun,  mull  run  on  to  all  the 
happy  Objects  thereof  in  one  eternal  Round, 
unto  Ages  without  End.  And  that  it  might 
do  fo,  infinite  Wifdom  divided  a  Water- 
courfe,  thro'  a  crucify  *d  Jefus,  for  Love's 
overflowing  Waters,  that  fo  reigning  Grace 
might  iuperabound  over  all  our  abounding 
Sinfulnefs,  to  the  Llonour  of  all  the  divine 
Perfections.     Your  God,  my  Brother,  fore- 
vie  w'd  all  your  Iniquities,  in  all  their  Aggra- 
vations,   and  yet,  in  the   Greatnefs  of  his 
Love,  he  refolved  to  be  gracious  unto  you, 
and  to  have  Mercy  upon  yon,  in  the  free, 
and  full  Forgivenefs  of  them  all.     He  knew 
that  your  Neck  was  an  Iron-Sinew,   and 
your  Brow,  Brafs ,  and  that  you  would  deal 
very  treacheroufly ,  and  yet  he  refolved,  that 
nothing,  none  of  all  your  Unkindnefs  and 
Ingratitude  mould  ever    feparate  you  from 
his  Love.     Oh,  Behold  this  Love,  and  a- 
dore  it !  Behold  it,  and  let  your  Heart  melt 
into  Gofpel -Repentance  before  it  !  Behold 
it,  until  you  feel  an  attracting   Efficacy  in 
it,    and   are  changed    into   its    Likencfs  !' 
What,   will  not  the  Lord  caft  you  off  for 
K  2  aU 


(    220    ) 

all  that  you  have  done !  Will  he  not  deal 
with  you  after  your  Sins,  nor  reward  you 
according  to  your  Iniquities !  Altho'  they 
are  more  highly  aggravated,  and  in  ibme 
Senfe  greater,   as  you  are  one  of  his   Fa- 
vourites, for  whom  he  has  done  fuch  great 
Things,  than  theirs  can  be,who  are  thePeo- 
ple  of  his  Wrath,againft  whom  he  hath  In- 
dignation for  ever  !  Will  he  not   turn  you 
into  Hell,  with  the  Nations  that  forget  God ! 
Oh,  Let  this  fet  your  Heart  againft  Sin  ! 
Let  this  Love  engage  you  to  give  a  Bill  of 
Devorce  to  it !    and  to  fay,  with  Ephraim, 
What    have   I  to   any  more  with   Idols  ? 
Oh,  my  Brother,    The  Lord  expecls  you 
fhould  return  unto  him  again.     Shall  he 
turn  away,  fays  he,  and  not  return  ?  And, 
go,  fays,  he,  proclaim  thefe  Words  towards 
the  North,  (to  my  Children,  who  by  Sin 
have  loft  the  fweet  Beams  of  my  feniible 
Favour,  that  like  the  South-Wind,had  us'd 
to  blow  upon  their  Souls  with  its  refrefhing 
Gales ;  and  are  got  into  the  cold  Point,  hav- 
ing loft  their  firft  Lore,  and  their  Hearts  al- 
jnoft  frozen  againft  me,and  are  apt  to  think 
that  my  Love  towards  them,  is  as  cold  as 
theirs  towards  me)   and  fay  unto  them, 
Return  thou  backfliding    Ifrael,  faith   the 
LORD,  and  I  will  not  caufe  mine  Anger  to 
fall  upon  you  ;  for  1  am  merciful,  faith  the 

*WRD, 


(    221    ) 

LORD,  and  I  will  not  keep  Anger  for  ev-ef. 
Only  acknowledge   thine  Iniquity,   that  thou 
baft  tranfgreffed  againfl  the  LORD  thy  Gody 
and  baft  fatter  d  thy  Ways  to  the  Strangers 
under   every  green   Tree,    and  ye  have  not 
obeyed  my  Voice,  faith  the  LORD.     Tumy 
O  Backfliding  Children,  faith  the  LORD, 
for  I  am  married  unto  you,  Sec.     You  fee, 
my  dear  Brother,  how   the  LORD  calls 
upon  you  to   return.     Turn  not  therefore 
away  from  him  ;  for  the  LORD  will  not 
forfake  his  People  for  his  great  Name's  fake, 
becaufe  it  hath  pleafed  the  LORD  to  make 
them  his  People.    I  am  glad  that  you  have 
been  helpt  to  plead  his  Promife  with  him  ; 
that  he  will  never  leave  you,  nor  forfake 
you  :  It  is    a  Token    of  his  never-failing 
Kindnefs,   and  of  the  frefli  Vifits  thereof 
towards  you.      Go  on  to  put  the  Promife 
in  Suit :  For  the  God  of  all  Grace,  will  not, 
cannot  deny  himfelf.      Confider  like  wife, 
what  Encouragement  you  have  to  approach 
the  Throne  of  Grace,   to  find  Mercy,  and 
Grace  to  help  in  Time  of  Need  5  fince  you 
have  a  Jefus,  that  is  entred  into   Heaven 
for  you  with  his  own   Blood,    and  there 
lives  for  you,  as  your  Advocate  and  Inter- 
ceffor,  to  fave  you  to  the  uttermo  ft.     And 
caft  not  away  your  Confidence,  wh  ich  hath 
great   Recompenfe  of  Reward.       It  is,  as 
K  3  Dr. 


(    222    ) 

Dr.  Goodwin  obferves,  one  great  End  of 
Satan,  in  tempting  us  to  Sin,  to  weaken 
our  Faith.  Let  us  therefore  beware  of 
this  Device.  And  when  we  have  fallen, 
let  us  not  yield  to  unbelieving  Fears  about 
our  Intereft  in  God,  or  our  being  in  a  State 
of  Grace;  but  rather,  in  the  Faith  of  our 
Relation  to  him,  let  us  return,  and  fay  with 
the  Prodigal,  Father,  I  have  fumed  dgainfl 
Heaven,  and  in  thy  Sight,  and  am  no  more 
worthy  to  be  call' d  thy  Son.  For  if  we  con- 
fe/s  our  Sins,  he  is  faithful  and  } aft  to  for •- 
give  us  our  Sins,  and  to  clean fe  us  from  all 
Un  right  eou (he fs . 

With  a  Word  or  two  of  Caution  and 
Exhortation,  I'll  conclude.  And  beware, 
my  dear  Brother,  of  yielding  to  any  Sin. 
:  hereby  you  will  greatly  difhonbur 
God,  grieve  the  Comforter,  weaken  your 
own  Graces,  ftrengthen  your  Corruptions, 
and  unfit  yourfelf  for  the  Lord's  Service. 
And  in  order  to  avoid  finful  Acts,  watch 
inil  finful  Thoughts,  keep  your  Heart 
with  all  Diligence.  Oh5  let  it  not  ileal  out 
from  God,  the  Sum  of  all  Perfection  and 
Blifs,  to  feek  Delight  in  the  Creature,  or 
any  bafe  Lull.  Abide  in  Chriil  by  Faith, 
and  he  will  abide  in  you  by  his  Spirit :  and 
fo  you  {hall  mortify  the  Deeds  of  the  Body. 
Live  in  a  conftant  Dependence  on  Chriit, 

and 


(    223    ) 

and  Independence  on  yourfelf.  For  In- 
herent Grace,  as  you  well  obferve,  is  not 
able,  to  keep  us  in  a  Time  of  Temptation, 
without  frefh  Influence  from  above.  Be 
diligent  in  the  Ufe  of  Means  :  Read  God's 
Word,  and  meditate  therein  Day  and 
Night.  Be  frequent  in  fecret  Prayer  :  and 
neglect  not  publick  Ordinances.  Let  the 
Saints  be  your  own  Company  :  Delight  in 
them  who  are  the  Excellent  of  the  Earth. 
Flee  youthful  Lufts.  Your  Age,  and  the 
Place  you  live  in,  calls  for  great  Watchful- 
nefs.  Your  Temptations  are  ftrong  :  Oh, 
be  you  ftrong,  to  refift  them,  in  the  Grace 
that  is  in  Chrift  jefus !  Remember,  he  has 
Crowns  and  Thrones  for  every  Overcomer. 
If  you  feek  the  Lord  early,  and  follow  him 
fully  in  your  prefent  youthful  Day,  as  it 
will  be  greatly  to  his  Honour,  fo  to  your 
own  exceeding  Joy,  and  unfpeakable  Glo- 
ry. You  are  cali'd  to  wreftle  with  the 
Powers  of  Darknefs,  both  within  and  with- 
out :  and  had  therefore  need  to  have  on 
the  whole  Armour  of  God,  that  you  may 
be  able  to  withftand  in  the  evil  Day,  and 
having  done  all,  to  ftand.  You  are  cali'd 
to  run  your  Chriftian  Race,  for  an  incor- 
ruptible Crown  :  Keep  it  in  fight,  to  ani- 
mate you  in  your  Courfe  :  That  you  may 
K  4  fo 


(   224   ) 

fo  run,  as  to  obtain  the  invaluable  Prize  of 
eternal  Glory  ! 

Grace  be  with  you,  Amen. 

lam,  Sir,  yours  in  the  Lord,  &c. 


LETTER    XXXIII. 
To   J.M. 

Dear  Sifter, 

GRace  and  Peace  be  multiplied  unto 
r  you  thro' the  Knowledge  of  God,  and 
of  Jefus  our  Lord, 

Having  heard  that  you  are  yet  on  this 
fide  Glory,  travelling  thro'  the  Wildernefs, 
it  is  en  my  Heart  to  have  a  little  Talk  with 
you  by  the  Way.  But  by  reafon  of  Di- 
stance, Paper  -  con  verfe  is  all  that  can  be  at- 
tain'd.  *Tis  the  Pleaiure  of  our  dear  Fa- 
ther, to  exercife  thee  in  a  very  particular 
Manner,  and  to  continue  it  long  upon  thee  : 
But  be  not  caft  down  hereat,  as  if  fome 
ft  range  Thing  had  happened  :  For  as  ma- 
ny as  the  Lord  loves,  he  rebukes  and  cha- 
ftens.     But  it  may  be  you'll  fay, 

"    My 


(    225   ) 

<c  My  Affliction  is  very  uncommon,  has 
<c  lafted  a  great  while,  and  it  is  like  to  en- 
*c  dure  fo  long  as  I'm  in  this  World  ". 

Well,  be  it  fo  :  Yet  remember  that  God's 
fpecial  Love  to  you  ordain'd  this  particu- 
lar Trial  ;  and  his  everlafting  Kindnefs  keeps 
it  (till  upon  you.  This  was  the  Means  in- 
finite Wifdom  pitch'd  on,  for  the  Difplay 
of  boundlefs  Love  to  you.  By  this,  you 
are  to  be  made  conformable  to  Chriit  in 
Sufferings,  and  meetned  for  a  Conformity 
to  him  in  Glory.  Since  Free-Grace  has 
faved  you,  give  it  leave  to  carry  on  your 
Salvation  in  its  own  Way.  What  tho'  you 
pais  thro'  much  Tribulation,  the  King- 
dom's at  the  End.  I  doubt  not,  but  the 
Lord,  at  times,  has  opened  much  of  his 
Love  to  your  Soul  in  the  prefent  Aflli^ions: 
But  the  brighter!:  Difcoveries  are  behind. 
The  great  Opening  of  God's  Heart,  in  the 
Gift  of  every  Trial,  is  referved  for  us  till 
we  get  over  Jordan,  on  the  other  fide 
Death,  into  the  Land  of  Promile..  Then 
we  (hall  remember  all  the  Way  the  Lord 
led  us  thro'  the  Wildernefs,  and  fee  it  was 
a  right  Way  to  a  City  of  Habitation.  Then 
the  Myfteries  of  Divine  Providence  (hall  be 
■unfolded,  the  Cloud  taken  from  off  every 
dark  Difpenfation,  and  the  Vail  from  our 
Underftandings,  There,  the  fecret  Springs 
K  5  of 


(    226    ) 

of  boundlefs  Love,  Infinite  Wifdom,  and 
Almighty  Power,  which  ordain'd,  managed, 
and  over-ruled  every  Scene  of  Providence, 
for  the  Glory  of  God,  and  our  Advantage, 
fhall  at  once  be  laid  open  :  For  we  mall  fee 
as  we  are  fctn.  We  fhall  blefs  God,  when 
we  come  to  Heaven,  for  every,  even  the 
bitterer!,  fharpeft,  longed  Affliction,  that 
attended  our  mortal  Life  ;  becaufe  we  mall 
fee  how  the  Lord  uninterruptedly  carried 
on  the  Defigns  of  his  own  Glory  and  our 
Salvation,  by  every  Change  that  pafs'd  over 
us.  Meanwhile,  we  muft  live  by  Faith,, 
and  labour  after  an  encreafing  Submiffion 
to  the  Divine  Will,  under  the  foreft  Re- 
bukes, and  a  Bleffing  of  God  for  every 
Stroke,  till  Grace  is  fwallowed  up  in  Glory :. 
When  our  Wills,  with  the  higheft  Com- 
placence,  fhall  everlaftingly  flow  into  the 
Will  of  God.  And  even  now,  we  have 
reafon,  not  only  to  be  patient,  but  alio  to 
rejoice,  and  glory  in  Tribulation,  And 
was  the  Eye  of  our  Faith  ftrpng  enough  to 
pierce  the  Cloud  of  afflictive  Providences, 
and  difcern  the  Love  of  our  Father's  Heart, 
which,  as  an  infinite  Deep,  coucheth  be- 
neath, and  is  the  Spring  of  every  Difpenfa- 
tion,   we  mould  fing  in  v,  take  Plea- 

fure  in   Diiviel'ies,    and  glorify  God  in  the 
Fires,  Our  light  AffHtfion,  faith  the  Apoftle, 

which 


(  227  ) 
which  is  but  for  a  Moment,  worketh  for  us 
a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  Weight  of 
Gloryx  2  Cor.  iv.  1 7.  There  are  three 
Things  comprized  in  thefe  Words,  which 
I  defire  you  may  be  enabled,  frequently,  to 
meditate  upon.  Firjl,  The  Lightnefs  of 
the  Saints  Affliction.  Secondly,  The  Short- 
nefs  of  it.  And  Thirdly,  The  Advantage 
of  all  their  prefent  Trials. 

Firfy  The  Lightnefs  of  the  Saints 
Afflidion  !  Our  Light  Affliction.  It's  not 
faid,  the  Afflictions  of  the  World  are 
light  :  But  our  Affliction  is  light.  And 
it  is  fo,  if  compared  with  what  we  have 
deferv'd,  and  the  Damned  in  Hell  endure. 
Light,  if  compared  with  what  Chrift  once 
bore,  when  for  us  he  was,  the  Man  of 
Sorrows,  and  acquainted  with  Grief.  Light, 
becaufe  by  virtue  of  Chrift's  Suffering  for 
us  in  our  room  and  (lead,  the  Curie  is  taken 
out  of  all  our  Afflictions.  Again,  they're 
light,   becaufe  omnipotent  Strength  is  en- 

ed  to  fupport  us  under  'em  :  Underneath 
are.  the  everlafting  Arms.  We  have  not, 
are  nor.  mail  not  be  left  to  go  thro'  any 
Trial  alone.     The  God  of  Jacob  is   our 

uge  and  Strength,  a  very  prefent  Help 

in  Trouble.     The  Lord  Jefus  is  our  fv/eet 

Companion  in  Tribulation.    He  is  with  us, 

to  (ympathize  with  us  in  our  Sorrows,  to 

K  6  fuftain 


(    228    ) 

fuftain  us  under  our  Burdens,  to  pardon  all 
our  Unbelief  and  Impatience,  when  in  the 
Furnace ;  and  at  laft  comple.i  tly  and  glori- 
oufiy  to  deliver  us,  and  bring  us  forth  as 
Gold  fcvcn  times  refined.  No  Affliction, 
indeed,  for  the  prefent  is  joyous,  but  grievous 
to  our  frail  Flefh.  It  is  fo  in  itfelf,  but 
much  more  fo  to  us ;  becaufe  we  live  fo 
much  by  Senfe,  and  fo  little  by  Faith. 
Every  Trial  that  parTeth  over  uf;}  hath  a 
light  as  well  as  a  dark  Side  :  And  we  mould 
look  upon  every  Affliction  with  a  double 
View  :  As  'tis  oppreffing  and  grieving  to 
weak  Nature,  it  is,  in  itfelf,  Evil ;  and  calls 
for  Submiffion  to  the  Divine  Will.  But 
then,  as  the  fame  Affliction  is  view'd,  as 
flowing  from  God's  Love,  and  effectually 
managed  for  his  Glory,  and  our  Advantage  ; 
fo  'tis  good  :  and  ought  to  be  matter  of  our 
Joy  and  Thankfgiving. 

Let's  leave  it  then  to  them  that  have  no 
Intereft  in  the  God  of  all  Grace,  to  think 
Afflictions  heavy  :  For  wo  to  them  that 
are  alone.  But  as  for  us,  that  are  interefted 
in  God,  (in  all  his  Perfons,  and  in  all  his 
Perfections,  as  engaged  in  Covenant  for  our 
good)  let's  go  on  rejoicing  in  Tribulation  ; 
efteeming  all  our  Afflictions,  as  indeed  they 
are,  light. 

Secondly, 


(  2*9  ) 

Secondly,  The  Shortnefs  of  the  Saints 
Affliction,  is  matter  of  great  Confolation: 
'tis  but  for  a  Moment.  A  Moment  is  but 
a  mort  Space,  the  fmalleft  Divifion  of 
Time.  And  unto  this  of  a  Moment,  are 
our  longeft  Afflictions  compared.  Suppofe 
they  mould  laft  as  long  as  we  are  in  this 
World  :  Yet,  even  our  whole  Life,  if 
compared  with  a  vaft  Eternity,  is  but  like 
a  Moment.  And,  as  Mr.  Dod  well  fays, 
<c  What  can  be  great  to  him  that  counts 
<c  the  World  nothing  ?  Or  long,  to  him 
cc  that  counts  his  Life  but  a  Span  "  ?  Oh  ! 
were  we  more  frequent  in  our  Converfe 
with  Eternity,  it  would  make  the  Afflicti- 
ons of  this  prefent  Time  appear  {hort.  Did 
we  live  more  in  the  Views  of  approaching 
Glory,  we  mould  remember  our  Afflictions 
as  Waters  that/  pais  away  -,  that  are  here 
one  Moment,  and  gone  the  next.  But 
alas !  fuch  is  our  Folly,  that  we  are  taking 
Thought  for  a  great  while  to  come  :  And 
fo  make  our  apprehended,  future  Trials, 
prefent  DiftreiTes.  Whereas,  were  we  un- 
der the  moft  preflrng  Weights,  and  did  take 
Thought  for  no  more  than  the  Dry  \  (and 
fujjicient  to  it,  is  the  Evil  thereof)  living  by 
Faith  on  the  Borders  of  Glory,  as  juft  en- 
tering into  the  Mai i irons  of  Reft,  ;  it  would 
alleviate  our  Sorrows,  and  make  the  longeft 

Trial 


(230  ) 
Trial  appear  fhprt.     Could  we  thus  reafon 
with  ourfelves  every  Day,  '  Well,  I'm  got 

*  one  Day  nearer  home  ;  the  Afflictions  of 
c  the  pail  Day  I  (hall  never  go  thro'  any 

*  more  :  And  perhaps,  before  I  fee  another 
c  Day  in  thisWorld,!  may  feeGlory's  Day  ; 
c  a  Morning  that  will  have  no   Clouds  nor 

*  Evening  to  fucceed  it  :  No  Sorrow,  Sin, 
c  nor  Death  to  darken  its  luftre '.  Oh, 
what  a  Means  would  this  be  to  increafe 
our  Patience,  and  make  us  of  an  enduring 
Spirit  !  And  what  matter  of  Comfort  is  it, 
that  while  our  fhort-lived  Afflictions  la  ft, 
Chrift  will  be  with  us  in  'em?  He's  with  us 
when  we  pafs  thro'  the  Waters,  that  the 
Rivers  don't  overflow  us ;  that  the  fuelling 
Waves  or  Afiii&ion  don't  overwhelm  us  : 
And  when  we  walk  thro'  the  Fires,  that 
the  Flames  kindle  not  upon  us,  that  fiery 
Trials  don't  confume  us.  The  Priefts 
Feet  were  to  ftand  in  "Jordan^  till  all  Ijrael 
was  clean  palled  over.  So  our  dear  Lord 
Jefus  will  ftand  amidft  our  DiftrelTes,  di- 
viding the  Waters  before  us,  till  all  his 
Children  are  clean  palled  thro'  'em.  His 
Prefence  with  us  in  Affliction,  will  make  it 
right  ;  and  his  delivering  Kindnefs  out  of 
it,  will  make  it  fiiort.     But, 

Thirdly,  The  Advantage  of  the    Saints 
Affliction,    is   alfo   an  Encouragement  to 

Faith 


(  23*  ) 
Faith  and  Patience  :  It  worketh  for  us. 
But  what  doth  it  work  ?  Why,  no  lefs  than 
Glory  !  And  it  works  Glory  for  us, as  it  pre- 
pares us  for  it.  Glory  was  prepared  for  us,  and 
fettled  upon  us,  in  God's  everlafting  Cove- 
nant with  his  Son,  before  the  World  was. 
And  Affliction  is  a  Means,  infinite  Wifdom, 
Power,  and  Grace  makes  ufe  of,  to  prepare 
us  for  Glory  :  That  Glory  which  was  got 
ready  for  us  before  Time,  and  will  laft  to 
an  eternal  Space  beyond  it.  And  who 
would  think  much  to  endure  Affliction, 
that  fees  it  is  but  for  the  Trial,  and  per- 
fecting of  his  Graces  ;  and  that  the  Exer- 
cife  of  each  might  be  found  unto  Praife, 
Honour,  and  Glory  at  Chad's  Appear- 
ing ? 

Now  then, let's  brin^Things  to theBallance 
of  the  Sanctuary,  and  learn  to  judge  of  'em 
aright.  Let's  amafs  together  all  the  Afflicti- 
ons of  a  Believer's  Life,  and  put  'em  in  one 
Scale,  and  Glory  in  the  other  -y  and  fee  if 
that  don't  infinitely  outweigh  them  ! 
efpecially,  if  we  call  in  the  additional 
Weights  that  are  on  Glory's  Side:  Here's 
Affliction  on  the  one  Side  ;  but  Glory  on 
theother;  Light  !  n,  for  a  Moment ; 

but  a  Weight  of  Glory  ;  yea,  an  exc 
afar  more  exceeding  and  eternal  Weight  of 
Glory !  Well  might  the  Apoftle  fay,  iw  I 

reckon, 


C  232  ) 

reckon,  that  the  Sufferings  of  this  prefent 
Time,  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with 
the  Glory  which  fiall  be  revealed  in  usy  Rom. 
viii.  17. 

Dear  Sifter,  you  ere  ftraitned  in  me,  a 
poor,  contracted,  narrow- mouth'd  VeiTel, 
that  can  take  in,  or  let  out  but  lie  tie  :  But 
you're  not  ftraitned  in  Chrift.  The  Lord 
enlarge  your  Capacity,  to  take  in  Abun- 
dance of  himielf  in  the  glorious  Promfes  ! 
And  open  unto  you  fuch  Views  of  the  In- 
heritance of  the  Saints  in  Light  ;  which 
may  caufe  you  to  go  comfortably  thro* 
your  prefent  Trials  :  And  at  laft  give  you  a 
triumphant  Paflage  thro'  the  Valley  of  the 
the  Shadow  of  Death,  under  the  bright 
Shines  of  his  Face,  beheld  by  Faith  ;  until 
Faith  is  fwallowed  up  in  Virion  ! 

So  prays,  yours  in  the  Lord,  &c. 


LETTER     XXXIV. 
To    E.  H. 

My  dear  Sifter  in  Chrift, 

Greet  you  :  wifhing  Grace  and  Peace 
JL  may  be  multiply 'd  unto  you,  thro'  the 
Knowledge  of  Go;l,  and  of  Jefus  cur 
Lord,  Yours 


(  233  ) 

Yours  I  receiv'd,  and  rejoice  to  hear 
how  our  gracious  God  is  carrying  on  his 
Work  in  your  Soul.  It  is  our  unfpeakable 
Privilege,  that  our  Lord's  Fulnefs  cannot 
decay.  'Tis  hence  we  have  receiv'd  all  our 
Supplies  hitherto.  And  tho'  we  are  ftill  as 
needy  Creatures  as  ever,  yet  the  Fulnefs 
of  Chrift  abides  unchangeably  the  lame. 
As  it  is  an  overflowing,  ib  aft  ever- flowing 
Fountain  5  which  fills  the  Saints  in  both 
Worlds.  "lis  hence  the  Saints  have,  do, 
and  fhall  receive  thro'  all  the  Ages  of  Time: 
and  this  will  fill  us  to  an  endleis  Eternity, 
without  the  leaft  Wafte.  Let  all  the  Saints 
in  Heaven  and  Earth  drink,  yea,  drink 
abundantly,  drink  their  Fill  out  of  the  Ful- 
nefs of  Chrift  ;  yet  can  they  not  link  this 
Fountain  one  Hair's  Breadth.  Becaufj  our 
Maker  is  our  Husband  :  The  LORD  of 
Hofrs  is  his  Name.  The  Grace  of  Chrift, 
as  the  Church's  Beloved,  is  not  the  Grace 
of  a  mere  Creature  :  then  it  would  be  foon 
dry'd  up  and  gone  :  But  it  is  the  boundlefs, 
infinite,  inexhauftible  Grace  of  JEHOVAH, 
the  Rock  of  Ages,  who  changeth  not !  Oh 
the  tranfcendent  Fairnefs  of  our  Beloved,  as 
he  is  our  GO  D,  as  well  as  our  Goel,  or 
Kinfman-Redeemer  !  What  fweet  Fellow- 
ship may  we  have  with  the  infinite  Grace 
of  the  boundlefs  Deity  dwelling  in  our  own 

Nature! 


(  234  ) 
Nature  !  Here,  divine  Terror  fhall  not 
make  us  afraid  -y  becaufe  infinite  Majefty  is 
cloth'd  with  our  Flefh.  We  may  well 
hold  fail  our  Confidence,  lince  we  have 
fuch  a  great  High-Prieft,  Jefus  the  Son  of 
God,  palled  into  the  Heavens  for  us.  Jefus, 
born  of  the  Virgin,  to  be  a  Saviour  ;  and 
yet  the  Son  of  God  in  our  Nature  !  The 
Bowels  of  Chrift,  our  Gofpel  High-Pridr, 
are  truly  human,  and  yet  infinite  :  Eecaufe 
of  the  Union  of  the  Divine  and  Human 
Nature  in  the  wonderful  Perfon  of  our  Be- 
loved. What  Encouragement  is  this  to  our 
Faith?  We  may  come  daily  with  our  emp- 
ty Souls  to  our  full  Jefus.  Our  Wants 
are  innumerable  ;  but  there's  enough  in 
Chrift  to  fill  us :  Yea,  there's  a  Redundan- 
cy, more  than  enough.  The  Veflels  of 
Mercy  are  and  lhall  be  caft  into  this 
Ocean  of  Glory,  contained  in  it,  and  lill'd 
with  it  ;  but  they  can  never  contain  that, 
which  contains  them  ;  becaufe  the  mod 
enlarged  Capacities,  even  of  glorify'd  Saints, 
are  (till  but  finite  :  and  the  Glory  of  God, 
into  which  they  are  caft,  is  infinite  ;  an 
immenfe  Sea,  without  either  Shore,  or  Bot- 
tom ! 

The  Lord  help  you,  my  dear  Sifter,  to 
abide  in  Chrift  by  Faith,  and  to  come  to 
him  daily  with  all  yourWants  :  His  Power, 

Grace, 


(235  ) 

Grace,  and Faithfulnefs  are  all  engag'd  ta 
grant  you  a  rich  Supply.  To  live  by  Faith 
on  the  Son  of  God,  is  the  every  Day's  Work 
of  a  Believer.  And  when  you  can't  come 
to  Chrift,  in  the  Views  of  your  Marriage- 
relation  to  his  Perfon,  and  Intereft  in  his 
Fulnefs,  you  may  come  as  a  poor  perifhing 
Sinner  in  yourfelf,  unto  him  the  exalted 
Saviour,  who  is  mighty  to  fave,  whofe" 
Office  it  is  to  fave  the  chief  of  Sinners ; 
even  all  them  that  come  unto  God  by  him. 
And  fuch  is  his  Grace,  that  in  no  wife  he 
will  call  out  any  poor  Soul  that  comes  to 
him.  No,  tho'  it  be  ever  fo  unworthy, 
vile,  wretched  and  miferable  ;  there's 
Strength  enough  in  his  Arm,  and  Grace 
enough  in  his. Heart, to  fave  to  the  uttermoft. 
It  matters  not  how  great  our  Wants  be, 
when  we  come  an  infinite  Fountain.  It  is 
no  more  for  Chrift,  to  nil  the  vafteft  De- 
fires  of  the  moft  needy  Creature  that  ever 
came  to  him,  than  for  the  Sea  to  fill  a 
Cockle- fhell.  Nay,  'tis  not  fo  much  :  For 
tho'  there  is  a  fort  if  Immenlity  in  that  vaft 
Confluence  of  Waters;  yet  they  maybe 
leifened.  But  the  Fulnefs  of  Chrift,  is  pro- 
perly infinite,  and  therefore  not  fubje<ft  to 
the  lea  ft  Diminution. 

But    I  miift  conclude,  defiring  that  the 
God  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  the  Father 

of 


(  236  ) 

of  Glory,  may  grant  unto  you  a  more  abun- 
dant Meafure  of  the  Spirit  of  Wifdom  and 
Revelation  in  the  Knowledge  of  Him, 
"Avhom  to  know,  is  Life  eternal.  With 
dear  Love  to  yourfelfand  all  Friends, 

Irejl  Tours  in  Chrift  for  ever,  &c. 


LETTER    XXXV. 
To  P.  W. 

My  dear  Sifter, 

I  Rejoice  to  hear  of  your  Health,  and 
wifh  your  Soul  may  profper  exceeding- 
ly. Dear  Child,  work  while  it  is  Day. 
Improve  all  the  Time  the  Lord  gives  you 
for  his  Glory :  For  this  will  be  for  his 
Honour,  and  your  own  Joy,  both  now  and 
in  the  Day  of  Chrift:.  Oh,  be  diligent,  that 
you  may  be  found  of  him  in  Peace,  without 
Spot,  and  blamelefs  !  Chrift  will  never 
leave  thee,  nor  forfake  thee  :  His  Grace 
will  be  fufficient  for  thee  :  Therefore  lay 
out  thyfelf  for  him,  all  manner  of  Ways, 
at  all  Times,  and  in  all  Places.  Keep  the 
Crown  in  View,  to  quicken  and  encourage 
you  to  run  with  Patience  the  Race  that  is 

fit 


(  237  ) 
fet  before  you.     Who  would  not  work  for 
Chriit,  that  glorious  Lover  !  That  glorious 
Matter  !   Who  HIMSELF  will  be  our  ex- 
ceeding  great  REWARD!  But  ah, Wretch- 
ed me    !    how  ungrateful,    difingenuous, 
rebellious,  and  flothful  have  I  been  !  'Tis 
well  for  me  that  Free-Grace  reigns,  reigns 
thro'  Righteoufnefs,  a  better  Righteoufnefs 
than  mine,unto  eternal  Life;  and  that  where 
Sin  has  abounded  fir  ace  doth  much  more  abound. 
Was  it  not  fo,  I  mould  never  be  faved.  But, 
blefied  beGod,lfee,  to  my  unfpeakablejoy, 
the  whole  of  my  Salvation,  founded  in,  and 
fecur'd  by  free,  reigning  Grace  !  But  then, 
what  a  Debt  of  Love,in  all  holy  Obedience, 
doth  a  faved  Soul  owe  unto  its  Saviour  ! 
Oh  here,  I  fall  fhort,  vaftly  fhort  of  what 
is  my  Duty  ;  and  fo  of  that  Glory  I  ought 
to  give  him  .    Oh  Wretch  that  I  am,  doth 
Chrifi:  delight  to  glorify  me  :   and  (hall    I 
dare,by  my  Negligence  in  hisService,toflight 
his  Honour !  And  yet  chus  evilly  have  I  done 
innumerable  Times.  Oh,  cc  I  muft  go  into 
"  Heaven,  (as  Mr.  Rutherford  fays)  Free- 
"  Grace's  Divour".       And,   "  Surely  I 
<c  (hall  die,  minting  and  aiming  to  be   a 
<c  Chriftian  ",     But  then,  oh,  then,  I  {hall 
be  a  Chriftian  indeed!  As  full  of  Chrift,  as 
like  him,  and  as  able  to  ferve  him,  as  now 
my  Soul  longs  to  be  !  Oh,  pray  for  me, 

that 


(238) 
that  while  I  abide  on  this  fide  Jordan,  I 
may  be  bleft  with  a  growing  Communion 
with  Chrift,  an  increaiing  Conformity  to 
him,  and  a  more  abundant  Service  of 
him  1  And  the  Lord  grant  you  thefe  three 


Bleffings 


/  reft  Tours,  &c. 


LETTER    XXXVI. 
To  T.  W. 

Dear  Brother, 

IBlefs  God  for  Chrift  :  And  becaufe  he 
lives,  I  live  alfo.  Oh,  my  Brother, 
what  Grace  is  it  to  us,  that  our  Union  to 
Chrift,  our  Life,  cannot  be  broken  !  And, 
oh  that  our  Faith  of  Intereft  in  him,  in 
his  Perfon  and  Fulnefs,  may  daily  engage 
us  to  live  to  him,  who  died  for  us,  and 
rofe  again  !  Oh  that  we  might  not  be  con- 
tented  to  live  at  the  poor,  low,  carnal  Rate 
at  which  the  molt  of  Profeflbrs  and 
Church- Members  live  at  this  Day  !  Our 
Lord  has  his  Fan  in  his  Hand ;  and  he  will 
throughly  purge  his  Floor.  Oh,  when  the 
Lord  mail  fearch  jferujalem  with  Candles, 
who  may  abide  the  Day  of  his  Coming  ? 

Let 


(  239  ) 

Let  lis  therefore  watch,  and  keep  our 
Garments.  And  whatever  others  do,  let 
us  labour  to  improve  all  our  prefent  Mo- 
ments, fome  way  or  other  to  glorify  God, 
that  fo  when  our  Lord  appears,  we  may 
be  found  of  him  in  Peace:  And  have  his 
well  dene,  as  good  andjaithful  Servants .  Oh, 
how  blefTed  a  Thing  it  is,  to  fay  with  the 
Apoftle,  for  me  to  live  is  Chrifi  !  'Tis  fweet 
to  live  for  Chrift  here,  as  well  as  to  live 
with  him  hereafter.  Oh  what  a  glorious 
Mafter  is  Jefus  Chrift  !  How  glorious  is 
his  Service  !  And  what  a  glorious  Reward 
will  he  beftow  upon  his  Servants,  when  he 
bids  them  enter  into  the  Joy  of  their 
Lord! 

Wifhing  a  rich  Increafe  of  all  Grace, 
unto  all  Glory  -,  and  defiring  your  Prayers 
for  us3 

1  rejly  Tours,  &c. 


FINIS. 


ERRATA. 

PAge  26.  Line  1 1 .  after  //,  read  an.  p.  36.  I.  1 5. 
for  Cbrift,  read  Cbrifts.  p.  38.  1.  2.  for  ;7, 
read  ///.  J.  18.  after  **,  read  theje.  p.  40.  I.  44 
after  pajf,  read  7>«/c-.  p.  45.  1.  28.  for  is,  read  as. 
p.  74.  1.  18.  for  Jbafl,  read  fja/t.  p.  96.  1.  11.  for 
fear,  read  fare.  p.  103.  1.  29.  blot  out  <*.'/.  p.  123. 
1.  28.  after  but,  read  the.  p.  124.  1.  20.  for  />, 
read  on.  p  141.  1.  10.  read  of  p.  165.  1.  28. 
for  /£<?,  read  /if/.,  p.  174.  1.  16.  for  us,  read  you. 
p.  175.  1.  5.  for  God f  read  Gcip/.  p.  201.  !•  3.  for 
canft  not,  read  cannot,  p.  21 1.  I.  2.  for  where  ever, 
read  whenever,  p.  212.  1.  27.  for  o/zr,  read  /£<?. 
1.  29.  for  are,  read  our.  p.  216. 1.  8.  TtaxLCreaturti* 
Perftclions.  p.  235=  1.  i£t  after  tfj»*j'  read  /#« 
I.24.  for  if,  read  *£ 


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